Thorns of regret

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79130

Title

Thorns of regret

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this Victorian melodrama, a young soldier marries a woman out of spite, only to discover she is a fortune-hunter while his first love holds a secret inheritance. As rival brothers clash over honor and wealth, deception and tragedy unfold, culminating in a fatal shock that forces a reckoning with love, regret, and the consequences of vengeance.

Summary up to 500 words

In Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller's *Thorns of Regret; or, His Brother's Wife*, the narrative follows the tragic trajectory of Delmar Barrington, a young soldier driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge against his wealthy, honorable elder brother, Byrd. Consumed by the belief that Byrd's influence ruined his father's affection, Delmar marries the impoverished Maisie, whom he despises, solely to wound Byrd and seize the love of Josephine, a woman who initially rejects him for his lack of fortune. A pivotal twist occurs when it is revealed that Maisie is actually a wealthy heiress, having inherited four million dollars from her father, who had been defrauded by Byrd. Unaware of this truth, Delmar believes he has won Josephine's heart by marrying for love alone. He proposes an immediate marriage to her, ignoring Byrd's objections regarding the need for mourning and the debt Delmar owes to Maisie's memory. Josephine, arrogant and manipulative, agrees, believing she has secured a rich husband while Delmar remains poor. Delmar's life ends abruptly and tragically. Suffering from a lung injury sustained during his military service, he collapses upon learning that Josephine has married Burton Kingwood, a man she despises. The shock of her betrayal and his own deteriorating health cause his sudden death. In his final moments, Delmar holds the hands of both Byrd and Maisie, blessing them before passing away. Consumed by guilt and grief, Byrd eventually marries Maisie, who has forgiven Delmar for his actions. The novel concludes with the couple finding peace, while Delmar's remains are laid to rest. The story explores profound themes of vengeance, the fickleness of love, the corruption of wealth, and the redemptive power of true affection, illustrating how the pursuit of revenge ultimately leads to destruction, while honesty and forgiveness offer a path to redemption.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Romance
• American Fiction