A delightful tale of thwarted ambition and forbidden love, this book follows the fortunes of an endearing young man. Proffering his own take on picaresque storytelling--and with many a grain of truth for twenty-something today. Propelled into society by his ever-hopeful father, Frank Softly is introduced to a variety of professions in order to make his fortune. Not industrious by nature, however, Frank finds working life a challenge, and by his 25th birthday, he has failed medicine, portrait-painting, caricaturing, and even forgery. Disenchanted with life, he despairs of ever finding something to commit to--until he meets Alicia Dulcifer and her inexplicably wealthy father.