The Spinster 1905

"The Spinster" by Robert Hichens is a story set in the early 1900s that pulls apart the complicated threads of love, secrets, and what people do to protect each other. Lord Inley, his wife Lady Vere, and Miss Bassett are at the heart of this tangle; the plot follows the ups and downs of Inley and Vere’s marriage, made shaky by secrets and betrayals, especially Vere’s past with Seymour Glynd. When Miss Bassett dies, the plot thickens, revealing how she quietly helped to keep Vere's secrets and prevent a disaster involving their child. Seen by society as just a spinster, Miss Bassett turns out to be a key player whose actions stir up tragic events that lead to her death. The novel showcases how fragile people can be and the hard decisions they make when driven by love.