The Last Woman

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24910

Title

The Last Woman

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a high-stakes financial crisis, Wall Street tycoon Stephen Langdon faces ruin unless he secures a twenty-million-dollar loan. He turns to his daughter Patricia and her longtime suitor, Roderick Duncan, proposing a marriage that serves as collateral for the debt. Patricia, proud and independent, initially resists this transactional arrangement, but as secrets about her past and a mysterious accident unfold, she must navigate her true feelings, her father's desperation, and the dangerous machinations of a plot involving a rival rancher....

Summary up to 500 words

In Ross Beeckman's *The Last Woman*, the narrative centers on Stephen Langdon, a powerful banker facing imminent financial ruin due to a failed bond deal. Desperate to save his reputation and standing on Wall Street, Langdon summons his daughter, Patricia, to his office. He proposes a desperate solution: Patricia must marry Roderick Duncan, a man who has long loved her, in exchange for a twenty-million-dollar loan. Patricia, who is engaged to another and has previously rejected Duncan's advances, is furious at the suggestion that she is merely collateral for a business transaction. She refuses to sign the agreement, but her father insists the marriage is necessary to restore his standing. The plot takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious accident occurs, leaving Patricia and Duncan presumed dead or missing. During this period of separation, Patricia cares for Richard Morton, a severely injured man who is actually Duncan's friend and a key figure in the unfolding mystery. Through coded communication and acts of devotion, Patricia discovers the truth about the accident and the identities of those involved. She realizes that Duncan was willing to sacrifice his own safety to save her, and her feelings for him deepen beyond the initial business arrangement. The story culminates in a wedding ceremony held at a sanatorium, where Patricia and Duncan are united not just by financial necessity but by genuine love. The plot also involves a rival, Burke Radnor, who attempts to expose the truth but ultimately chooses friendship over conflict. The novel explores themes of pride versus love, the dangers of Wall Street speculation, and the resilience of the human spirit. It concludes with the couple finding happiness and the resolution of the financial crisis, leaving the reader with a sense of closure and emotional satisfaction.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-04 01:05 UTC

Categories

• Romance
• Fiction