A Phantom Lover

"A Phantom Lover" by Vernon Lee is a late 19th-century gothic story that immerses readers in a haunting tale of love and obsession. Through the eyes of a painter commissioned to capture their likenesses, the story reveals the enigmatic Mrs. Oke and her husband, Mr. Oke. Mrs. Oke's captivating beauty and aura become the focus as the painter discovers her intricate past, filled with scandal and tragic romance. The story evolves around Mr. Oke's increasing jealousy and fixation on his wife's connection to a deceased poet, creating a tense and suspenseful environment within their home, reflecting themes of identity, longing, and the unsettling presence of the supernatural amid the somber backdrop of the English countryside.