Anna the Adventuress

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26596

Title

Anna the Adventuress

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In Paris, a terrified young woman flees a traumatic accident and encounters Sir John Ferringhall, who mistakes her for her sister, Anna. As the sisters return to London, a web of deception, mistaken identities, and romantic entanglements unfolds, challenging Sir John's moral compass and revealing the true nature of the women he thought he knew.

Summary up to 500 words

In E. Phillips Oppenheim's *Anna the Adventuress*, the narrative begins in Paris with Annabel Pellissier fleeing a railway accident. Mistaken for her sister, Anna, by the wealthy carpet merchant and magistrate Sir John Ferringhall, she is taken in. Upon returning to London, the deception unravels when Sir John's wife, Annabel, reveals she is the woman Sir John initially thought was the victim. This revelation forces Sir John to manage the scandalous reputation of his wife while protecting the innocent-looking 'Anna,' who has agreed to let the deception continue to shield her sister. The story explores themes of identity, reputation, and the rigidity of social convention versus personal truth. 'Anna' pursues a career on the London stage, captivating audiences and attracting the attention of several men, including Nigel Ennison, a former friend from Paris, and other suitors like Walter Brendon and David Courtlaw. Sir John, struggling with his own prejudices and the public perception of his wife, attempts to enforce his rigid morality by offering 'Anna' an annuity of two hundred pounds a year. The conditions attached are severe: she must leave the stage and never return to England. 'Anna' coolly rejects this offer, mocking Sir John's lack of discrimination and asserting her independence. As the plot thickens, past relationships surface, including a botched marriage attempt involving a man named Meysey Hill, which adds to the tension between Sir John's conventional worldview and the fluid realities of his characters' lives. Over the course of six months, the other suitors withdraw their advances, leaving 'Anna' free to choose her own path. She eventually accepts Nigel Ennison's proposal. This decision signifies her realization that her artistic success was a necessary means to gain the independence required to marry on her own terms, rather than as a dependent. The novel concludes with the couple settling down, having successfully navigated the treacherous waters of societal expectation and personal truth. Sir John is left to face the consequences of his initial misjudgments, while 'Anna' and Nigel find a genuine connection that transcends the artificial constraints of their society. The story serves as a critique of class prejudice and the dangers of judging individuals solely by their social standing or past indiscretions.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg26596.epub

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Categories

• Man-Woman Relationships
• Sisters