The Only Sin

Lilli Landau, covert Jew and natural daughter of a British viscount, decamps at age 16 from Aunt Sara's millinery-cum-cosmetic establishment in Bohemia to Sydney, Australia, with American adventurer Jacques Laval. The shop she starts is soon transformed into a maison de beaute and Lilli herself into a princess whose line of creams and ointments softens the skins of a rich and famous clientele. Lilli imperturbably amasses millions, divorces the ne'er-do-well Jacques, singlehandedly raises two gorgeous kids and survives the crash of '29 and two world wars. She marries one of the many noblemen who seek her hand, and short-lived though her gratification isher prince is homosexualLillifinally discovers true love with her business adviser, who has long been hovering in the wings. If Lilli lacks a third dimension, it will scarcely be noticed amidst the glamour and abundance that Ellis (Maison Jennie has strewn along her heroine's path. (March 27)