The Wilkie Collins Library

In which Agnes Montbarry, newly arrived in Venice, experiences a restless night haunted by her own thoughts and an unsettling silence, only to be confronted with the unexpected and eerie presence of the Countess Montbarry in her room. This spectral visitation culminates in a chilling vision that blurs the line between the living and the dead, leaving Agnes overwhelmed and bewildered by the dawn.

In which Henry Westwick and Agnes confront the eerie mantle-piece of the haunted hotel, unveiling a hidden cavity containing a ghastly human head that stirs dreadful questions and suspicions. Their grim discovery compels Henry to seek out light and counsel beyond the hotel’s confines, burdened by a solemn resolve to unravel the mysterious past entwined with Montbarry’s death.

In which Mr. Francis Westwick encounters the enigmatic Countess Narona by moonlight in Venice, where she divulges her troubled circumstances and an unusual proposal connected to his theatre. Their curious exchange, tempered by the peculiar brew of maraschino punch, hints at deeper mysteries afoot amidst the city's grand yet shadowed surroundings.

In which a lady of enigmatic bearing resolves to inhabit the ill-famed chamber in the Venetian hotel despite the disquiet it inspires, bringing her into an uneasy alliance with Francis, who recounts the eerie tales that haunt the place in hope of theatrical inspiration. Meanwhile, as visitors of the Montbarry family approach the scene, the Countess watches with a restless mind and shadowed heart,...

In which Lord and Lady Montbarry, accompanied by Agnes, arrive at a Venetian hotel and face the delicate challenge of room assignments amidst a charming and mysterious atmosphere. The episode gently unfolds with whispered kindness, curious strangers, and a child's fearful reaction to a peculiar mark, all observed with a quiet sense of foreboding beneath the surface of their genteel travels.

In which the lively city of Paris serves as the setting for a peculiar interplay of family plans, theatrical aspirations, and restrained emotions, as Agnes and various relatives prepare for a significant gathering in Italy. Against the backdrop of gaiety and melancholy, attentions are gently refused and intentions withheld, leaving questions lingering upon the shifting course of travel and the uns...

In which the newly opened Palace Hotel in Venice presents a spectacle of grandeur and modern luxury, though two members of the Montbarry family find themselves troubled by the ominous atmosphere and mysterious sleeplessness associated with the notorious room numbered Fourteen. The hotel’s manager, keen to preserve the establishment’s reputation amidst whispered fears and ghostly tales, resorts to...

In which the manager, contemplating a curious request to reserve a famously ominous room for a member of the Westwick family, encounters the theatrical Mr. Francis Westwick upon his arrival at the hotel, who, intrigued by family tales, resolves to investigate the notorious chamber for himself. Upon entering the room, Francis is met with a most peculiar and repugnant odour that none around him perc...

In which we witness the grand metamorphosis of a venerable Venetian palace into a splendid modern hotel, preserving its stately exterior whilst lovingly refurbishing its interior to suit the tastes and comforts of contemporary travellers. Meanwhile, in the tranquil Irish countryside, the bonds of affection and society quietly intertwine around the young and the infirm, as plans are gently laid for...

In which Agnes finds herself once more confronting the shadow of the formidable Countess through an encounter with Mrs. Rolland, the stern and unyielding former servant whose revelations offer little comfort regarding the mysterious disappearance of the courier Ferrari. Meanwhile, the quiet country-house atmosphere is touched by the arrival of Miss Haldane, whose presence unexpectedly stirs the af...

In which Miss Agnes Lockwood recounts the charming wedding of Mr. Arthur Barville and Miss Haldane, followed by a spirited proposal for a reunion in Venice during the honeymoon, much to the amusement of the household and guests. Subsequently, Agnes receives an inviting letter from Lady Montbarry, leading to an unexpected and swift journey to Paris with the children, prompting reflections on the cu...

In which Agnes confides in Henry her intention to abandon her solitary London life by accepting a governess position with her relatives in Ireland, revealing the warm letter from her niece that inspired this resolve. Meanwhile, Henry discusses the pecuniary affairs binding them to the Venetian Palace Hotel, and they navigate the delicate balance of their mutual affections amidst these unfolding pl...

In which Lady Montbarry unexpectedly visits Miss Lockwood, seeking answers about a courier's employment entangled with past sorrows and present mysteries. Their tense exchange, observed by Henry Westwick, unfolds amid an atmosphere thick with hidden griefs and unspoken fears, hinting at heavier reckonings yet to come.

In which Mrs. Ferrari boldly seeks out Lady Montbarry to confront her regarding troubling matters connected to her late husband, only to meet with cold suspicion and unexpected hostility in the dimly lit room of the widow’s gloom-stricken apartment. The encounter ends with a dramatic summons to Miss Lockwood’s door and the timely arrival of Henry Westwick, setting the stage for an urgent intervent...

In which a solemn report unfolds, detailing a thorough investigation into the private chambers and circumstances surrounding Lord Montbarry’s final illness and death at a secluded Venetian palace, with particular attention paid to the peculiar absence of servants and the mysterious disappearance of a courier. The inquiries, supplemented by medical testimony and careful observation, find nothing be...

In which Mrs. Ferrari reveals to Mr. Troy the startling news that a mysterious letter containing a thousand-pound note was sent to her by Lord Montbarry himself, suggesting his hidden kindness amidst troubling circumstances. With resolute determination, she plans to confront Lady Montbarry at her hotel to catch her in a trap, despite Mr. Troy’s doubts about her nerve and the uncertain reception sh...

In which the formal announcement of Lord Montbarry’s death sets in motion an inquiry by insurance offices interested in the peculiar circumstances surrounding his demise, while Mrs. Ferrari and Agnes navigate the delicate tensions of mystery, grief, and reluctant involvement. The narrative delicately traces the unfolding investigations and personal entanglements as hopes and fears mingle in the sh...

In which Mr. Troy, a seasoned and somewhat cynical lawyer, visits Mrs. Ferrari and Agnes Lockwood to examine the puzzling circumstances surrounding Mr. Ferrari’s disappearance and the mysterious letter with a sum of money sent to Mrs. Ferrari. The evening takes a sombre turn as Henry Westwick, brother of the late Lord Montbarry, brings grievous news, casting a shadow over the gathering and stirrin...

In which we observe the quiet suffering of Miss Lockwood as she grapples with the unsettling news of the mysterious disappearance of a courier connected to the Montbarry household, leading her into the shadowy complexities of a Venetian palace and its inhabitants. The episode softly reveals the tangled relationships and curious circumstances that deepen the melancholy air surrounding the once-happ...

In which Agnes Lockwood, with a gentle and quiet dignity, burns the last letters of a lost love and contemplates the finality of a broken past, while unexpected visitors bring reminders of old ties and new entanglements. The evening closes with a small but significant act of kindness, linking Agnes once more to the fortunes of the man she has sought to forget.

In which a widow, poised on the brink of a second marriage under scandalous circumstances, confides in Doctor Wybrow a haunting apprehension inspired by a calm yet unsettling stranger whom she had supplanted in love. Struggling with an uneasy mixture of fascination and repulsion, the Doctor finds himself drawn into her dark mystery and compelled to learn more about the enigmatic Countess Narona.

In which the ever-curious Doctor Wybrow acquaints himself with the scandalous reputation of the Countess Narona and observes the whispered intrigues of high society as her forthcoming marriage to Lord Montbarry divides opinion and family alike. With the wedding day arriving and the ceremony carried out in a humble, unspectacular manner, our Doctor finds himself both bewildered and intrigued by the...

In which the eminent Doctor Wybrow, renowned for his discerning medical eye, is unexpectedly detained by a mysterious and pale lady whose appearance and composure stir a profound professional curiosity. She confesses to a haunting fear of madness despite her outward good health, and endeavours to share her puzzling impressions with him without revealing names or particulars.

In which the gentle narration closes upon the passing of a mysterious and troubled friend, his wishes for anonymity and peace honoured by those who loved him, whilst the faithful chronicler reflects on the marriage that has brought solace and continuity to the Verinder family. And in a curious epilogue, a voyage and a pilgrimage lead us far from English shores to the ancient, sacred land where the...

In which Sergeant Cuff delivers a meticulous report on the mysterious death of Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite, detailing the evidence pointing to foul play by three Indians seeking the coveted diamond, the Moonstone, and unravelling the financial and personal intrigues shadowing Mr. Ablewhite’s final days. He also recounts the peculiar circumstances surrounding the diamond’s custody and the tangled motives...