
This eBook was produced by Tapio Riikonen
CHAPTER XVIII. - RETROSPECT.
CHAPTER XIX. - MR. GRABMAN'S ADVENTURES.
CHAPTER XX. - MORE OF MRS. JOPLIN.
CHAPTER XXI. - BECK'S DISCOVERY.
CHAPTER XXII. - THE TAPESTRY CHAMBER.
CHAPTER XXIII. - THE SHADES ON THE DIAL.
CHAPTER XXIV. - MURDER, TOWARDS HIS DESIGN, MOVES LIKE A GHOST.
CHAPTER XXV. - THE MESSENGER SPEEDS.
CHAPTER XXVI. - THE SPY FLIES.
In the wake of personal loss, Lucretia reappears at the home of William Mainwaring, a young banker whose fortunes are on the rise. Clad in mourning yet radiating a quiet confidence, she offers a measured blend of sympathy and frankness that unsettles the household. Her presence marks a turning point, hinting at a deeper purpose beyond simple consolation.
Lucretia’s sharp mind, honed by years in Paris, quickly becomes a catalyst for William’s dormant ambitions. While his longtime partner Susan offers gentle domestic comfort, Lucretia’s conversations are charged with ideas of power, wealth, and public service, stirring his yearning for parliamentary influence. As the town’s financial scene buzzes with speculative characters, their interactions set the stage for a clash between intellectual drive and personal desire, promising a compelling exploration of ambition, influence, and the costs of unbridled aspiration.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (181K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-03-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1803–1873
Best remembered today for unforgettable phrases like "the pen is mightier than the sword" and "It was a dark and stormy night," this Victorian novelist was once one of the most widely read writers in Britain. He paired literary fame with a busy political career, giving his work an unusual mix of melodrama, ambition, and public life.
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