AustLit

English tale of courage, romance and madness. A gentle studious officer retires from the army when he discovers he cannot escape a false reputation as a coward. The reputation follows him to the hunting county where he lives and seems sure to lose him the girl he loves, until he is confronted one night by an escaped homicidal lunatic from the nearby asylum. Believing him to be a plant by his rival, the asylum superintendent, he disarms the man and returns him to the asylum. Only then does he discover his danger - but his reputation is redeemed and his lady won. Sub-plot of male friendship with a brave handsome cultured Irish doctor at the asylum. (PB)