Jerome K. Jerome 
Malvina of Brittany 

(Excerpt): "The Doctor never did believe this story, but claims for it that, to a great extent, it has altered his whole outlook on life. "Of course, what actually happened-what took place under my own nose, " continued the Doctor, "I do not dispute. And then there is the case of Mrs. Marigold. That was unfortunate, I admit, and still is, especially for Marigold. But, standing by itself, it proves nothing. These fluffy, giggling women-as often as not it is a mere shell that they shed with their first youth-one never knows what is underneath. With regard to the others, the whole thing rests upon a simple scientific basis. The idea was ‘in the air, ‘ as we say-a passing brain-wave. And when it had worked itself out there was an end of it. As for all this Jack-and-the-Beanstalk tomfoolery-"."