Deep Waters; Or, A Strange Story

"Deep Waters; Or, A Strange Story" by R. H. Crozier is a narrative centered around Ernest Edgefield, a newly graduated lawyer whose life is at a crossroads. The story begins with Ernest's graduation from law school and his subsequent re-engagement with Clara Vanclure, a woman of wealth and status. As Ernest advances in his legal career, inner turmoil arises, influenced by warnings from his guardian and a spiritual awakening prompted by a visiting evangelist. The novel explores Ernest's changing emotions towards Clara and introduces obstacles to their relationship, mainly a romantic rival named Xerxes Comston, also vying for Clara's affection. The initial chapters establish a dynamic between characters, foreshadowing conflicts between aspirational dreams and the harsh realities of destiny.