Countess Vera; or, The Oath of Vengeance

"Countess Vera; or, The Oath of Vengeance" by Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller is a dramatic novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around themes of love, loss, revenge, and societal expectations, particularly focusing on the life of Vera Campbell, a young girl struggling against the cruelty of her relatives after the tragic death of her mother. Vera’s journey takes her from sorrow and desperation to a pivotal marriage that brings her both power and conflict. At the start of the novel, the reader is thrust into a poignant scene where Leslie Noble encounters the lifeless body of his bride, Vera's mother, leaving Vera distraught and grieving for the maternal love she lost. The narrative soon shifts to Vera's inner turmoil as she grapples with her circumstances, including the oppressive treatment from her cousin Ivy, who embodies the heartlessness of the privileged class. As events unfold, a dark plot involving Vera's attempted suicide and her father’s long-lost arrival hint at themes of vengeance against those who have wronged her and her mother. This mixture of tragedy and familial betrayal sets the tone for a gripping exploration of resilience against a backdrop of a rigid, unforgiving society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller was the pen name of Mittie Frances Clarke Point, an American novelist. She wrote 80 dime novels during a 50-year career. Her first novel was Rosamond, but her success began with the 1883 romance, The Bride of the Tomb. She died in 1937. In 1978, her home, "The Cedars", was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.