
Harold Wynne returns home pale and restless, his mind haunted by sleepless thoughts of a world he believes he has already seen. In a trembling moment of raw emotion, he asks his beloved Beatrice to bind their love with a secret marriage, insisting that the ceremony must happen now, even though they cannot yet share a home. Their exchange crackles with devotion, tears, and a desperate need for a bond that can survive any external force.
Beyond the intimate chamber, the novel widens its scope, following Harold as he navigates the bustling streets of Piccadilly and the intrigues of the theatre world. Encounters with figures such as the pragmatic Mr. Playdell and the enigmatic Archie Brown hint at larger conflicts that will test the couple’s trust and the very truths Harold claims to understand. The story blends passionate romance with philosophical questioning, setting the stage for a journey where love must confront both personal doubt and the bewildering complexities of a changing society.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (194K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page images generously provided by the Internet Archive
Release date
2016-05-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1855–1931
An Irish journalist, novelist, dramatist, and poet, he wrote lively popular fiction while also engaging with the political tensions of his time. His work ranges from historical novels to stage writing, giving a vivid glimpse of late Victorian and early 20th-century literary life.
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