
In a quiet English countryside, a tightly‑knit family gathers around its matriarch, Lucretia, whose gentle presence masks a world of hidden tensions. From childhood lessons to the expectations of inheritance, the early chapters trace how upbringing and the lure of wealth shape each member’s choices, setting the stage for both affection and rivalry.
As the household navigates betrayal, a contested will, and a fragile engagement, secrets begin to surface, testing loyalties and stirring a growing sense of dread. Lucretia’s own discovery forces her to confront a darkness that threatens to eclipse the hope she has cultivated, while a tentative reconciliation between father and son offers a glimmer of redemption. The story weaves a thoughtful portrait of how money and moral education collide, hinting at tragedy without revealing the full extent of the looming catastrophe.
Language
en
Duration
~16 hours (943K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Tapio Riikonen and David Widger
Release date
2004-11-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1803–1873
Best remembered for vivid historical and supernatural fiction, this prolific Victorian writer also left a surprising mark on everyday language with phrases that people still quote today. His stories mix drama, mystery, politics, and the occult in a way that helped shape popular fiction in the 19th century.
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