The Wings of the Dove, Volume 1
by Henry James
'The Wings of the Dove, Volume 1' Summary
Kate Croy and Merton Densher are two betrothed Londoners who desperately want to marry but have very little money. Kate is constantly put upon by family troubles, and is now living with her domineering aunt, Maud Lowder. Into their world comes Milly Theale, an enormously rich young American woman who had previously met and fallen in love with Densher, although she has never revealed her feelings. Her travelling companion and confidante, Mrs. Stringham, is an old friend of Maud. Kate and Aunt Maud welcome Milly to London, and the American heiress enjoys great social success.
With Kate as a companion, Milly goes to see an eminent physician, Sir Luke Strett, because she worries that she is suffering from an incurable disease. The doctor is noncommittal but Milly fears the worst. Kate suspects that Milly is deathly ill. After the trip to America where he had met Milly, Densher returns to find the heiress in London. Kate wants Densher to pay as much attention as possible to Milly, though at first he doesn't quite know why. Kate has been careful to conceal from Milly (and everybody else) that she and Densher are engaged.
With the threat of serious illness hanging over her, Milly decides to travel to Venice with Mrs. Stringham. Aunt Maud, Kate and Densher follow her. At a party Milly gives in her Venice palazzo (the older Palazzo Barbaro, called "Palazzo Leporelli" in the novel), Kate finally reveals her complete plan to Densher: he is to marry Milly so that, after her presumably soon-to-occur death, he will inherit the money they can marry on. Densher had suspected this was Kate's idea, and he demands that she consummate their affair before he will go along with her plan.
Aunt Maud and Kate return to London while Densher remains with Milly. Unfortunately, the dying girl learns from a former suitor of Kate's about the plot to get her money. She withdraws from Densher and her condition deteriorates. Densher sees her one last time before he leaves for London, where he eventually receives news of Milly's death. Milly does leave him a large amount of money despite everything. But Densher does not accept the money, and he will not marry Kate unless she also refuses the bequest. Conversely, if Kate chooses the money instead of him, Densher offers to make the bequest over to her in full. The lovers part on the novel's final page with a cryptic exclamation from Kate: "We shall never be again as we were!"
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1902Author
Henry James
America, Britain
Henry James was born in New York City on April 15, 1843, into a wealthy and intellectually stimulating family. His father, Henry James Sr., was a Swedenborgian philosopher and his mother, Mary Roberts...
More on Henry JamesDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
The Apartment Next Door by William Andrew Johnston
In the quiet corridors of a bustling urban neighborhood, lies a world of hidden mysteries and enigmatic secrets in "The Apartment Next Door" by Willia...
The Heptameron of the Tales of Margaret, Queen of Navarre, Volume 1 by Marguerite of Navarre
Embark on a captivating journey through love, loss, and redemption in Marguerite of Navarre's timeless classic, The Heptameron. Unveiling the Secrets...
La Fée des Grèves by Paul Féval, père
Dans le roman envoûtant "La Fée des Grèves" de Paul Féval, père, une histoire captivante d'amour, d'intrigue et d'aventure se dévoile dans le décor de...
Privy Seal: His Last Venture by Ford Madox Ford
Step into the treacherous world of political intrigue and power in "Privy Seal: His Last Venture" by Ford Madox Ford. Uncover the secrets, deceptions,...
A Queen by Ottilie Wildermuth
Delve into the captivating tale of a young woman's remarkable journey to queenship in Ottilie Wildermuth's timeless classic, A Queen. Set against the...
Lost for Love by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Will Flora Everard ever find true love? Or is she destined to be forever lost? Lost for Love is a captivating novel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, one of...
The Fifth Queen Crowned by Ford Madox Ford
It is a thrilling historical fiction novel that follows the story of Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII of England. This book, origin...
In the Wake of the Buccaneers by Alpheus Hyatt Verrill
In the Wake of the Buccaneers by Alpheus Hyatt Verrill is a captivating historical adventure that immerses readers in a thrilling tale of swashbucklin...
The Corner House by Fred M. White
a thrilling novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This gripping tale takes readers on a suspenseful journey filled with mystery, intrigue...
The Mill Mystery by Anna Katharine Green
A mysterious death at a remote mill sets the stage for a suspenseful mystery in which nothing is as it seems. "The Mill Mystery" is a novel by Anna K...
Reviews for The Wings of the Dove, Volume 1
No reviews posted or approved, yet...