The Hand of Ethelberta

The story follows Ethelberta, a young woman from a seemingly genteel background, whose true distinction lies in her intelligence rather than her lineage. Initially a schoolteacher admired by men but not by women, she becomes a governess and secretly marries the son of her employer. Tragically, both her husband and his unforgiving father pass away shortly after their marriage, leaving her to navigate her new life with the wealth bequeathed to her by her late father-in-law. The narrative explores themes of social class, ambition, and the complexities of relationships.