Witness to the Deed, by George Manville Fenn.
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This is indeed rather an extraordinary book, in many ways not in the
usual style of Fenn, yet in others in a style that few but Fenn could
rise to.
One of the problems with this book is that, at least in the early
chapters, there are flashbacks in the text, most unusual in the
nineteenth century, though regrettably an oft-used device in the writing
of today. This does make it difficult to follow the story, but you just
have to push on with the work, and you will be rewarded in the end.
A young girl, the daughter of an admiral, had previously married a man
who turned out to be a forger, and who was believed to have died. The
hero of the book was due that day to marry her, and was very much in
love with her. Just as he is departing for the church, a visitor
appears, and states that, far from being dead, he is the girl's husband.
He demands money: there is a fight; two pistol-shots are fired; the
bridegroom-to-be does not turn up at the wedding; several people are
seriously upset, and remain so throughout the book. Matters do not
clear up until the very end of the book.
You could probably call this a psychological novel, and, as such, it is
not really suitable for children, as most of Fenn's novels are. It is
quite a long book, longer than most others by Fenn, and it demands great
concentration throughout. If you are reading it for the second or third
time, you could listen to an audio version of it, but we would advise
reading it from the screen when first you read this book.
The type used was very clear, and the book was easily digitised, but
unfortunately there were numerous type-setting errors, which all had to
be sought out and corrected. Hopefully there are very few left. Be a
brave soul and try this book, taking your time over it.
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WITNESS TO THE DEED, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.