The Woman in White The Second Epoch: X (Marian Halcombe, Count Fosco, Narrator)

Armadale Book the first - Chapter I, pt 1

In which a conscientious clergyman, Mr. Brock, reflects upon his long acquaintance with Mrs. Armadale and her son Allan, whose unworldly character and love of the sea have marked their secluded life on the Somersetshire coast. The peaceful routine is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious and fever-stricken stranger named Ozias Midwinter, whose presence and secretive manner provoke both curiosity and unease among the villagers.

Armadale Prologue - Chapter III, pt 3

In which a dying man, shrouded in mystery and burdened with a dark confession, dictates a letter that must remain sealed until certain truths can be revealed to his son, all under the grave and watchful presence of two strangers bound to his solemn charge. We observe the somber unfolding of secret histories and hear final, haunting appeals to caution against the shadows cast by inherited guilt, as duty and despair entwine in the quiet chamber of parting.

Armadale Prologue - Chapter III, pt 2

In which a tale unfolds of a man who, guided by a portrait and a sense of destiny, voyages to a distant island in pursuit of love and truth, only to encounter deception, illness, and bitter betrayal. As the narrative reaches its poignant conclusion, a tempestuous sea-chase and the somber discovery of fate’s harsh verdict bring all assembled to a solemn vigil beside a death-bed.

Armadale Prologue - Chapter II

In which a punctual Scottish gentleman named Mr. Neal waits for a doctor whose tardiness he finds unusual, only to be drawn into a grave and mysterious affair concerning the dire condition of a man named Armadale, whose secret wishes and a half-written letter demand urgent attention. The doctor, with a gentle mixture of earnestness and hesitation, persuades Mr. Neal to undertake the delicate and pressing task of giving voice to Armadale’s unspoken message, despite Mr. Neal’s measured suspicions and reluctance.

Armadale Prologue - Chapter III, pt 1

In which a somber scene unfolds in the richly adorned room of a dying man, where legal and personal complexities converge around a letter he wishes to have written and sealed in his presence, drawing in a stern Scottish solicitor and a beautifully poised wife of mixed heritage. Meanwhile, the narrative embarks on a reflective journey into the man’s turbulent past in the West Indies and introduces intriguing characters and promises of unravelled fortunes with the prospect of an important voyage to England.