AustLit

Bizarre tale from England of a young girl, orphaned by her invalid mother's death and her father's suicide after he is bankrupted. Soon after she hears of the death of her beloved from the neighbouring estate of Mervale Abbey. Recovering from an illness she goes to live with his mother there but only learns after several months that he is not dead but dying slowly of a dreadful gun blast which has shorn away half his face ... Odd tale - introverted atmosphere of life-tried female narrator. (PB)