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Two young men are engaged to marry two young women. They propose to rent and share between them a vast empty house known as the Old madhouse. But before Fred Carteret can sign his share of the lease his guardian, the Rev. Dr Carteret, must give his consent. Dr Carteret goes to inspect the house, is left alone there for a moment, and is never seen alive again. The mystery broods very effectively over the entire book. Then Miss Fraser breaks off her engagement with Fred Carteret on the ground that his admiration for the other lady, Lucy Hinchcliffe, who is engaged to the other gentleman, Charley Smith, is excessive. Indeed, when Charley and Lucy are married and gone by themselves to live in the Old madhouse, Fred finds himself passionately in love with his friend’s wife. It is not until they have eloped together that the Doctor is discovered.” (The Times [London] Lit Sup) In a postscript. “A few last words to the reader,” Mrs De Morgan tells something of her husband’s literary methods.

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