What is the lady of the barge?

"The Lady of the Barge" is a short story by W. Somerset Maugham, which was published in 1902. The story revolves around a young clerk named Harvey, who falls in love with a barmaid named Maisie. Maisie works at a riverside inn, where Harvey frequently goes to drink after work. Maisie is known as "the lady of the barge" because her father owns a barge and she lives on it with him.

Harvey is initially infatuated with Maisie's beauty and charms, but as he grows to know her better, he begins to realize that she is not as virtuous as she seems. Maisie has had relationships with many men, and is not particularly interested in settling down with Harvey. Despite this, Harvey persists in his pursuit of Maisie, even proposing marriage to her. Maisie rejects his proposal, and Harvey realizes that he has been foolish in his love for her.

"The Lady of the Barge" explores themes such as love, jealousy, and the illusions that we create in our minds about those we love. The story is also notable for its vivid descriptions of London's riverside culture in the late 19th century.