Basil, and Novellas

William Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist and playwright, best known for The Woman in White and The Moonstone. In Collins' second novel, the well-born Basil falls for Margaret on first seeing her. Her linen-draper father agrees to Basil marrying Margaret - but he insists that the wedding must take place immediately and that Basil must then keep the marriage secret for a whole year, not even seeing his wife unless Mr. or Mrs. Sherwin are present. This volume also contains Mrs. Zant and the Ghost, Miss Morris and the Stranger, and Mr. Lismore and the Widow.