Bücher von Wilkie Collins

The Woman in White famously opens with Walter Hartright's eerie encounter on a moonlit London road. Engaged as a drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie, Walter is drawn into the sinister intrigues of Sir Percival Glyde and his 'charming' friend Count Fosco, who has a taste for white mice, vanilla bonbons and poison. Pursuing questions of identity and insanity along the paths and corridors of English country houses and the madhouse, The Woman in White is the first and most influential of the Victorian genre that combined Gothic horror with psychological realism.

"The Frozen Deep" by using Wilkie Collins is a captivating story of love, sacrifice, and redemption set in opposition to the backdrop of an ill-fated Arctic day trip. The story follows the lives of three imperative characters: Clara Burnham, Frank Aldersley, and Richard Wardour, whose destinies emerge as intertwined in a dramatic collection of activities. As the narrative unfolds, we research of Clara's engagement to Frank, a naval officer, and the presence of Richard, a brooding and mysterious figure with a tragic past. When the expedition units' sail for the Arctic, tensions upward push many of the group, leading to a harrowing war of words that checks the characters' braveness and solve. Against the backdrop of the unforgiving Arctic landscape, Collins weaves a tale of affection and betrayal, exploring issues of honor, duty, and the iconic electricity of the human spirit. As the characters confront their private fears and dreams, they have to grapple with the results of their alternatives and ultimately face the consequences in their actions. With its compelling narrative and shiny descriptions, "The Frozen Deep" is a gripping tale of adventure and romance a good way to preserve readers enthralled until the very cease.

"The Dead Secret: A Novel" by way of Wilkie Collins is a compelling and suspenseful story that weaves together issues of mystery, deceit, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of Cornwall's dramatic landscapes, the radical introduces readers to a cast of intriguing characters whose lives are intricately related with the aid of a protracted-buried mystery. The narrative revolves around the mysterious Mrs. Treverton, who guards a hidden secret that has the energy to disrupt lives and regulate destinies. As the story unfolds, the reader is taken on a journey through the twists and turns of a gripping plot filled with sudden revelations and ethical dilemmas. Collins, recognised for his mastery of the sensation novel, skillfully creates an atmospheric placing that complements the suspense and intrigue. The characters are introduced to existence with psychological intensity, and their interactions make contributions to the intricate layers of the narrative. "The Dead Secret" is a conventional example of Collins' potential to blend factors of melodrama and social commentary. The novel explores the outcomes of retaining secrets and techniques and the effect of hidden truths on both individuals and society.

Miss Or Mrs.? is a novel written by Wilkie Collins, a prominent English author of the 19th century. The story revolves around a young woman named Emily Brown, who is torn between two identities: Miss or Mrs. Emily has recently married a wealthy man, but soon discovers that her husband is not the man she thought he was. As she tries to uncover the truth about her husband's past, Emily must also decide whether to keep her married name or revert to her maiden name. Along the way, she encounters a cast of intriguing characters, including a mysterious woman who seems to know more about Emily's husband than she does. The novel is a thrilling tale of deception, betrayal, and self-discovery, and is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its intricate plot, vivid characters, and engrossing storyline, Miss Or Mrs.? is a classic work of Victorian literature that continues to captivate readers today.""Now for the Law of Clandestine Marriage!"" said Lady Winwood. ""Mr. Linzie, we will take it sitting."" She led the way to one of the benches in the garden, and placed Launce between Natalie and herself. ""Well, Chief Conspirator, have you got the License? No? Does it cost too much? Can I lend you the money?""This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

The Moonstone (1868) by Wilkie Collins is a 19th-century British epistolary novel. It is an early modern example of the detective novel, and established many of the ground rules of the modern genre. The story was serialised in Charles Dickens's magazine All the Year Round. Collins adapted The Moonstone for the stage in 1877. Rachel Verinder, a young English woman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance and extremely valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond (or perhaps the Orloff Diamond or the Koh-i-Noor diamond). Rachel's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party at which the guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night the diamond is stolen from Rachel's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill luck ensues. Told by a series of narratives from some of the main characters, the complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone and recover it. (wikipedia.org)

The Woman in White is Wilkie Collins's fifth published novel, written in 1859. It is considered to be among the first mystery novels and is widely regarded as one of the first (and finest) in the genre of "sensation novels".The story is sometimes considered an early example of detective fiction with protagonist Walter Hartright employing many of the sleuthing techniques of later private detectives. The use of multiple narrators (including nearly all the principal characters) draws on Collins's legal training, and as he points out in his preamble: "the story here presented will be told by more than one pen, as the story of an offence against the laws is told in Court by more than one witness". In 2003, Robert McCrum writing for The Observer listed The Woman in White number 23 in "the top 100 greatest novels of all time", and the novel was listed at number 77 on the BBC's survey The Big Read. (wikipedia.org)

No Name is a novel by Wilkie Collins, first published in 1862. Illegitimacy is a major theme of the novel. It was originally serialised in Charles Dickens' magazine All the Year Round before book publication. The story is told in eight major parts, called Scenes. ...(wikipedia.org)

Man and Wife was Wilkie Collins's ninth published novel. It is the second of his novels (after No Name) in which social questions provide the main impetus of the plot. Collins increasingly used his novels to explore social abuses, which according to critics tends to detract from their qualities as fiction. The social issue which drives the plot is the state of Scots marriage law; at the time the novel was written, any couple who were legally entitled to marry and who asserted that they were married, either before witnesses or in writing, were regarded in Scotland as being legally married. The novel, the next in sequence after Collins's highly successful The Moonstone, was a commercial success. Among modern critics, Peters holds a low opinion of its plot and characterisation, but Page argues that it should be classed with Collins's acclaimed 1860s fiction rather than with his later, and inferior, polemical novels. The novel has proved enduringly popular and remains in print. (wikipedia.org)

"Rambles Beyond Railways" is a travelogue written by using the renowned Victorian writer Wilkie Collins. The book takes readers on a fascinating adventure via various landscapes and locations, transcending the limitations of conventional railway tour. Collins, best known for his contributions to the mystery and sensation novel genres, showcases a unique facet of his literary expertise in this travel narrative. The writer's keen observations and bright descriptions bring to lifestyles the numerous locations he explores, presenting readers a glimpse into the cultural, historical, and natural wonders of the mid-19th century. From quaint villages to bustling cities, Collins paints a rich tapestry of the environments he encounters, mixing elements of journey and curiosity. "Rambles Beyond Railways" serves now not simplest as a tour account however additionally as a reflection of Collins' inquisitive thoughts and appreciation for the arena round him. His narrative fashion engages readers with a mix of informative statement and private anecdotes, growing a compelling and immersive studying revel in.

"The Legacy of Cain" by Wilkie Collins is a compelling novel that explores subject matters of morality, inheritance, and the effects of familial secrets and techniques. Collins, acknowledged for his mastery of mystery and sensation fiction, weaves a complex narrative that unfolds against the backdrop of Victorian society. The story revolves around the wealthy and influential Vanstone family, whose lives take a dramatic flip while their patriarch leaves behind a mysterious and contested inheritance. As the plot unfolds, the novel delves into the intricacies of the prison device, inheritance laws, and the moral dilemmas confronted by way of the characters. Collins, frequently taken into consideration a precursor to the detective fiction style, infuses the narrative with suspense and surprising twists. The characters, along with the enigmatic Magdalen Vanstone, navigate an internet of deception and societal expectations, hard the conventions of the time. "The Legacy of Cain" stands as a testament to Collins' narrative talent and his eager observations of Victorian society. The novel explores the impact of societal norms on people, particularly girls, and the lengths one might visit comfy their legacy.

"The New Magdalen" with the aid of Wilkie Collins is a compelling novel that delves into issues of redemption, social injustice, and the resilience of the human spirit. Collins, a grasp of Victorian sensation fiction, crafts a narrative that challenges societal norms and explores the results of private alternatives. The tale facilities round Mercy Merrick, a woman searching for to get away her past as a fallen girl, or "Magdalen," and start anew. Falsely accused of robbery, she grapples with the tough judgments of society at the same time as seeking to show her innocence. As she navigates a global that frequently denies 2d chances to the ones deemed morally fallen, the radical unfolds as a poignant exploration of morality and forgiveness. Collins employs his trademark narrative technique, combining mystery and social critique, to captivate readers. The characters, which include the sturdy-willed and determined Mercy, confront the hypocrisies of Victorian society and challenge traditional notions of morality. "The New Magdalen" stands as a testomony to Collins' capability to cope with social issues and provide a nuanced portrayal of girls's struggles in a society bound through rigid ethical codes.

The book "A Rogue's Life" is a heart-warming mystery and detective fiction. Frank Softly, the protagonist of the story, narrates the account of his unique and daring life. The son of a well-respected merchant, Frank, decides to adopt a more roguish lifestyle after becoming disillusioned with society as a whole. As Frank moves through the social strata, his story leads readers through a number of interactions, adventures, and mishaps. He interacts with a wide range of people, including actors, nobles, and criminals. A recurrent subject in the book is disguise and deception, as Frank takes on many personas to get around the social mores. The somewhat sarcastic narrative style of "A Rogue's Life" offers a commentary on social traditions and the difficulties faced by those who attempt to defy them. Frank's account of his events is filled with wit, humour, and societal criticism.

"Heart and Science" through Wilkie Collins is a gripping novel that delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas bobbing up from medical improvements and the pursuit of know-how. First posted in 1883, Collins weaves a story that explores the consequences of playing with the forces of nature. The narrative revolves across the terrific however morally questionable scientist, Doctor Ovid Vere, who's committed to pushing the limits of scientific technology. As he conducts experiments inside the hopes of unlocking the secrets of life, the radical explores the anxiety among scientific ambition and ethical duty. The story takes a dramatic turn when Doctor Vere's experiments come to be entangled with the lives of his subjects, leading to unexpected effects. Collins skillfully integrates factors of thriller, romance, and social observation, making "Heart and Science" a multifaceted exploration of human nature and the consequences of unchecked scientific experimentation. The characters inside the novel represent a spectrum of attitudes towards technological know-how, from the enthusiastic pursuit of information to the cautious skepticism and ethical concerns.

"Stories By English Authors," by Wilkie Collins, presents a charming anthology showcasing the literary prowess of diverse English writers. Collins, a renowned Victorian novelist and a grasp of thriller and sensation fiction, curates a diffusion that gives readers a various variety of narratives, each a gem in its own right. Within the pages of this anthology, readers are handled to a tapestry of storytelling patterns and subject matters that mirror the richness of English literature at some point of the 19th century. From tales of suspense and intrigue to poignant explorations of human nature, the compilation captures the essence of the Victorian technology's literary panorama. Wilkie Collins, regarded for his own contributions to the thriller style with works like "The Woman in White" and "The Moonstone," brings his editorial acumen to this series, making sure a harmonious combination of narratives that both entertain and remove darkness from. As a literary luminary, Collins introduces readers to lesser-regarded yet talented contemporaries, presenting a glimpse into the literary landscape of the time.

"The Two Destinies" is a singular by Wilkie Collins. This exciting work weaves a story of thriller, romance, and the supernatural. The story revolves round significant characters, the blind musician, and composer, Maurice Linzey, and the stunning and enigmatic young woman, Jessie Yelverton. Maurice, who has the unique capability to understand a person's real character through his heightened senses, encounters Jessie, a girl haunted through a mysterious past. As their lives end up entwined, the narrative unfolds with factors of suspense and the mystical. The novel takes unexpected turns as it delves into subject matters of destiny, love, and the outcomes of one's moves. Collins skillfully combines factors of the Gothic and the supernatural with an eager know-how of human psychology. The plot navigates thru secrets and techniques, deceptions, and the complexities of relationships. "The Two Destinies" stands proud in Collins's body of work for its exploration of the supernatural, which adds an additional layer of intrigue to the narrative. As the character's grapple with their destinies, the radical keeps readers on the edge of their seats, combining factors of Victorian sensation fiction with Collins's signature storytelling.

"The Dead Alive" by means of Wilkie Collins is a gripping story of thriller and suspense that unfolds against the backdrop of Victorian England. Collins, known for his mastery of the sensational novel, weaves a story that explores the darker facets of human nature and the complexities of justice. The story starts offevolved with an apparently habitual case undertaken via Mr. Meeke, a solicitor. However, as the occasions spread, what to begin with appears trustworthy transforms into a tangled net of intrigue and deception. The valuable subject matter revolves around the question of whether or not a person believed to be dead is actually alive, and the criminal and moral implications that follow. Collins employs his signature fashion, characterized via complicated plotting and well-drawn characters, to create a narrative that keeps readers on the brink of their seats. The exploration of criminal intricacies, blended with the psychological intensity of the characters, adds layers to the tale. As the plot unfolds, readers are taken on an adventure that demanding situations their perceptions of proper and incorrect. The atmospheric depiction of Victorian society complements the narrative, immersing readers in the mores and conventions of the time.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

It may be that women have no positive appreciation of what is beautiful in form and color--or it may be that they have no opinions of their own when the laws of fashion have spoken. This at least is certain, that not one of them in a thousand sees anything objectionable in the gloomy and hideous evening costume of a gentleman in the nineteenth century. A handsome man is, to their eyes, more seductive than ever in the contemptible black coat and the stiff white cravat.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Interesting collection of 10 short stories, plus an extra one, equally interesting, that makes the frame of the other ten. The best stories, in my opinion, are the frequently antologized "The biter bit," plus "A plot in private life" and the frame story ("The Queen of Hearts"). (Manuel Alfonseca)BIOWilliam Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 - 23 September 1889) was an English novelist and playwright known for The Woman in White (1859) and The Moonstone (1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to a London painter, William Collins, and his wife, the family moved to Italy when Collins was twelve, living there and in France for two years, so that he learned Italian and French. He worked at first as a tea merchant. On publishing his first novel, Antonina, in 1850, Collins met Charles Dickens, who became a friend and mentor. Some Collins works appeared first in Dickens's journals Household Words and All the Year Round. The two also collaborated on drama and fiction. Collins reached financial stability and an international following in the 1860s from his best-known works, but began to suffer from gout. He took opium for the pain, but became addicted to it. His health and his writing quality declined in the 1870s and 1880s. Collins was critical of the institution of marriage: he later split his time between widow Caroline Graves, with whom he had lived most of his adult life, treating her daughter as his, and the younger Martha Rudd, by whom he had three children. Collins's works were classified at the time as "sensation novels", a genre seen nowadays as the precursor to detective and suspense fiction. He also wrote penetratingly on the plight of women and on the social and domestic issues of his time. For example, his 1854 Hide and Seek contained one of the first portrayals of a deaf character in English literature. As did many writers of his time, Collins first published most of his novels as serials in magazines such as Dickens's All the Year Round, and was known as a master of the form, creating just the right degree of suspense to keep his audience reading from week to week. ...Collins died at 82 Wimpole Street, following a paralytic stroke. He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, West London. His headstone describes him as the author of The Woman in White. (wikipedia.org)

Novel dedicated to Mrs Henry Powell Bartley (Carrie Graves) acknowledging her skill and patience in copying manuscripts for the printer. Henry Bartley was Collin's solicitor and, ironically, embezzled from the estate - the fate suffered by Miss Jillgall in the story. Published in 1888, it was the final novel completed by Collins and the last to be syndicated by Tillotson. The Legacy of Cain explores the theme of hereditary evil, and attacks the idea that 'bad blood' necessarily results in a criminality. BIOWilliam Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 - 23 September 1889) was an English novelist and playwright known for The Woman in White (1859) and The Moonstone (1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to a London painter, William Collins, and his wife, the family moved to Italy when Collins was twelve, living there and in France for two years, so that he learned Italian and French. He worked at first as a tea merchant. On publishing his first novel, Antonina, in 1850, Collins met Charles Dickens, who became a friend and mentor. Some Collins works appeared first in Dickens's journals Household Words and All the Year Round. The two also collaborated on drama and fiction. Collins reached financial stability and an international following in the 1860s from his best-known works, but began to suffer from gout. He took opium for the pain, but became addicted to it. His health and his writing quality declined in the 1870s and 1880s. Collins was critical of the institution of marriage: he later split his time between widow Caroline Graves, with whom he had lived most of his adult life, treating her daughter as his, and the younger Martha Rudd, by whom he had three children. Collins's works were classified at the time as "sensation novels", a genre seen nowadays as the precursor to detective and suspense fiction. He also wrote penetratingly on the plight of women and on the social and domestic issues of his time. For example, his 1854 Hide and Seek contained one of the first portrayals of a deaf character in English literature. As did many writers of his time, Collins first published most of his novels as serials in magazines such as Dickens's All the Year Round, and was known as a master of the form, creating just the right degree of suspense to keep his audience reading from week to week. ...Collins died at 82 Wimpole Street, following a paralytic stroke. He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, West London. His headstone describes him as the author of The Woman in White. (wikipedia.org)

William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 - 23 September 1889) was an English novelist and playwright known for The Woman in White (1859) and The Moonstone (1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to a London painter, William Collins, and his wife, the family moved to Italy when Collins was twelve, living there and in France for two years, so that he learned Italian and French. He worked at first as a tea merchant. On publishing his first novel, Antonina, in 1850, Collins met Charles Dickens, who became a friend and mentor. Some Collins works appeared first in Dickens's journals Household Words and All the Year Round. The two also collaborated on drama and fiction. Collins reached financial stability and an international following in the 1860s from his best-known works, but began to suffer from gout. He took opium for the pain, but became addicted to it. His health and his writing quality declined in the 1870s and 1880s. Collins was critical of the institution of marriage: he later split his time between widow Caroline Graves, with whom he had lived most of his adult life, treating her daughter as his, and the younger Martha Rudd, by whom he had three children. Collins's works were classified at the time as "sensation novels", a genre seen nowadays as the precursor to detective and suspense fiction. He also wrote penetratingly on the plight of women and on the social and domestic issues of his time. For example, his 1854 Hide and Seek contained one of the first portrayals of a deaf character in English literature. As did many writers of his time, Collins first published most of his novels as serials in magazines such as Dickens's All the Year Round, and was known as a master of the form, creating just the right degree of suspense to keep his audience reading from week to week. ...Collins died at 82 Wimpole Street, following a paralytic stroke. He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, West London. His headstone describes him as the author of The Woman in White. (wikipedia.org)

This is a fascinating Victorian novel that has a bit of everything--utopian socialism, prostitution, gilded-age crooks, premarital sex, and sympathetic feminism. Fascinating look at England in the 1870's with themes that few novels of the time dared to explore. I have never been a fan of Collin's Moonstone, but this book changed my opinion of him as a writer. I was riveted. (Jim Jones)

William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 - 23 September 1889) was an English novelist and playwright known for The Woman in White (1859) and The Moonstone (1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to a London painter, William Collins, and his wife, the family moved to Italy when Collins was twelve, living there and in France for two years, so that he learned Italian and French. He worked at first as a tea merchant. On publishing his first novel, Antonina, in 1850, Collins met Charles Dickens, who became a friend and mentor. Some Collins works appeared first in Dickens's journals Household Words and All the Year Round. The two also collaborated on drama and fiction. Collins reached financial stability and an international following in the 1860s from his best-known works, but began to suffer from gout. He took opium for the pain, but became addicted to it. His health and his writing quality declined in the 1870s and 1880s. Collins was critical of the institution of marriage: he later split his time between widow Caroline Graves, with whom he had lived most of his adult life, treating her daughter as his, and the younger Martha Rudd, by whom he had three children. Collins's works were classified at the time as "sensation novels", a genre seen nowadays as the precursor to detective and suspense fiction. He also wrote penetratingly on the plight of women and on the social and domestic issues of his time. For example, his 1854 Hide and Seek contained one of the first portrayals of a deaf character in English literature. As did many writers of his time, Collins first published most of his novels as serials in magazines such as Dickens's All the Year Round, and was known as a master of the form, creating just the right degree of suspense to keep his audience reading from week to week. ...Collins died at 82 Wimpole Street, following a paralytic stroke. He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, West London. His headstone describes him as the author of The Woman in White. (wikipedia.org)

The Dead Secret was Wilkie Collins's fourth published novel. Like its predecessor Hide and Seek, the "secret" and the mystery are made clear to the reader, though not to the novel's characters, at an early stage.The obsessed and arguably deranged Sarah prefigures the character of Hester Dethridge in Collins's Man and Wife, and more distantly those of Lydia Gwilt in Armadale and the female protagonist of his late novel, The Haunted Hotel.The blind Leonard is another of Collins's disabled characters. He plays only a small part in the novel, but Collins drew another and more significant blind character in Lucilla, the heroine of his 1872 novel Poor Miss Finch.Much of the novel is set in Cornwall, one of Collins's favourite English counties, which also features in his early melodrama Basil. Contemporary critics held mixed opinions, some seeing an advance on Collins's previous Hide and Seek, and some less enthusiastic. Peters regards the handling of the "secret" as a weakness in construction, and does not rate the novel highly within Collins's oeuvre. Nadel's description of it as the last of Collins's "apprentice novels" emphasises the gap between it and Collins's next novel, the acclaimed The Woman in White. Nevertheless it has proved enduringly popular and remains in print. (wikipedia.org)

The Black Robe is an 1881 epistolary novel by famed English writer, Wilkie Collins. The book relates the misadventures of Lewis Romayne, and is also noted for a perceived anti-Catholic bias. As the story begins, Romayne and his friend, Major Hynd, are in Boulogne to visit Romayne's aunt, who is dying. While there, Romayne attends a card game, where he has an argument with a corrupt card sharp, the General, who challenges him to a duel. However, the general doesn't turn up himself but nominates his son, an accurate shot, who should win the duel. Romayne absolutely does not want to fight but is goaded into doing so. Against the odds, he accidentally kills his opponent, and the screams of the man's brother after the death come to haunt Romayne for the rest of his life.Romayne returns to his Yorkshire home, called Vange Abbey. Even in his own home, the Frenchman's younger brother's awful cries follow him. He finally leaves for London, to visit his old friend Lord Loring, who is the patriarch of a well-heeled Catholic family. While there, he meets Stella Eyrecourt, who falls in love with him. A Catholic priest named Father Benwell, who serves as a spiritual leader for the Lorings, determines that he will convert Romayne to the church, employing the services of young priest, Arthur Penrose, to this end. This is all done in an attempt to bring Romayne's family home, Vange, back to the church, who owned it before Romayne's family.Romayne, who is still haunted by the duel, sends Major Hynd to enquire about the family of the man he killed in hopes of assisting them monetarily. Additionally, he confides in Penrose who becomes a true friend to Romayne, despite his presumed ulterior motives.Father Benwell employs various tactics to undermine Romayne's marriage to Stella, finally culminating in the revelation of Stella's prior bigamous marriage to Bernard Winterfield. Winterfield had fallen in love with Stella and married her while erroneously believing that his wife from a previous marriage was dead.Eventually, Romayne is promoted to an ecclesiastical post in Paris. However, knowing that he is dying, Romayne finally decides to see Stella and his son. Father Benwell brings Romayne's lawyer to his deathbed, trying to confirm the validity of the will in an attempt to ensure the church inherits Vange. But as he dies, Romayne acknowledges he loves his wife and child, and has the will destroyed. This causes Vange-and the entire inheritance-to pass to his family, foiling Benwell's plans. (wikipedia.org)

Poor Miss Finch (1872) by Wilkie Collins is a novel about a young blind woman who temporarily regains her sight while finding herself in a romantic triangle with two brothers. Twenty-one-year-old Lucilla Finch, the independently wealthy daughter of the rector of Dimchurch, Sussex, has been blind since infancy. Shortly after the narrator, Madame Pratolungo, arrives to serve as her paid companion, Lucilla falls in love with Oscar Dubourg, her shy and reclusive neighbour, also wealthy, who devotes himself to craftsmanship in precious metals.After being attacked and knocked unconscious by robbers, Oscar is nursed by Lucilla and falls in love with her, and the couple become engaged. Their plans are jeopardized by Oscar's epilepsy, a result of the blow to his head. The only effective treatment, a silver compound, has the side-effect of turning his skin a permanent, dark blue-grey. Despite her blindness, Lucilla suffers a violent phobia of dark colours, including dark-complexioned people, and family and friends conceal Oscar's condition from her.Meanwhile, Oscar's twin brother, Nugent, returns from America, where he has dissipated his fortune pursuing a career as a painter. Oscar is devoted to his brother, who is as outgoing, confident and charming as Oscar is diffident and awkward. Knowing of Lucilla's blindness, Nugent has arranged for her to be examined by a famous German oculist, Herr Grosse. Herr Grosse and an English oculist each examine Lucilla but disagree on her prognosis. Lucilla elects to be operated on by Herr Grosse, who believes he can cure her. After the operation, but before the bandages are taken off, Madame Pratolungo pressures Oscar into telling Lucilla of his disfigurement, but his nerve fails and, instead, he tells her it is Nugent who has been disfigured.Nugent is secretly infatuated with Lucilla and now manipulates her into believing that he is Oscar. As Lucilla gradually regains her sight, Herr Grosse forbids family and friends from undeceiving her, since the shock might imperil her recovery. Oscar goes abroad, resigning his fiancée to his brother in despair. Madame Pratolungo intervenes decisively with Nugent, appealing to his conscience and threatening him with exposure if he continues with his plan to marry Lucilla under Oscar's name. He promises to go abroad to find his brother and return him home.Nugent soon returns to England and tracks Lucilla to the seaside, where, on Herr Grosse's orders, she is staying with her aunt, away from her immediate family. He pressures her to marry as soon as possible, without her family's knowledge, and works to poison her trust in Madame Pratolungo, who is away in Marseilles attending to her wayward father. Detecting but not understanding the change in her supposed fiancé, Lucilla becomes distraught, over-strains her eyes and begins to lose her vision.In the novel's denouement, Madame Pratolungo locates Oscar with the help of a French detective. His experiences have revealed an unexpected strength of character, and she conceives a new respect for him. The two of them race home to England to stop the marriage while there is still time. Held virtually prisoner at a Dubourg cousin's house, Lucilla is again totally blind. With the help of a kindly servant, she escapes to meet them, immediately recognizes the true Oscar, and is told the full story by Madame Pratolungo. A penitent Nugent returns to America, where he later dies on a polar expedition. Lucilla and Oscar settle in Dimchurch to raise a family, with Madame Pratolungo as her companion. Perfectly content in her blindness, she refuses Herr Grosse's offers to attempt another operation. (wikipedia.org)