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Published in 1888, The Legacy of Cain was the final novel completed by Collins and the last to be syndicated by Tillotson. The Legacy of Cain explores the theme of hereditary evil, and attacks the idea that 'bad blood' necessarily results in a criminality.
The main story begins in 1875. Helena and Eunice are sisters brought up by their father, the Reverend Abel Gracedieu. He has deliberately kept them in ignorance of their true ages because the elder daughter was adopted in 1858, after her natural mother was executed for the brutal murder of her husband. The story's main narrator is the prison governor who always feared the adoption would end badly because of the taint of inherited evil.
At the request of a person who has claims on me that I must not disown, I consent to look back through a long interval of years and to describe events which took place within the walls of an English prison during the earlier period of my appointment as Governor.
Viewing my task by the light which later experience casts on it, I think I shall act wisely by exercising some control over the freedom of my pen.
I propose to pass over in silence the name of the town in which is situated the prison once confided to my care. I shall observe a similar discretion in alluding to individuals—some dead, some living, at the present time.
Being obliged to write of a woman who deservedly suffered the extreme penalty of the law, I think she will be sufficiently identified if I call her The Prisoner. Of the four persons present on the evening before her execution three may be distinguished one from the other by allusion to their vocations in life. I here introduce them as The Chaplain, The Minister, and The Doctor. The fourth was a young woman. She has no claim on my consideration; and, when she is mentioned, her name may appear. If these reserves excite suspicion, I declare beforehand that they influence in no way the sense of responsibility which commands an honest man to speak the truth.
The day of my return marks an occasion which I am not likely to forget. Hours have passed since I came home—and my agitation still forbids the thought of repose. As I sit at my desk I see Eunice in b…
I said so to Miss Jillgall, and I say it again here. Nothing will induce me to think ill of Helena. My sister is a good deal tired, and a little out of temper after the railway journey. This is exact…
Only two days now, before we give our little dinner-party, and Philip finds his opportunity of speaking to papa. Oh, how I wish that day had come and gone! I try not to take gloomy views of things; b…
On entering the schoolroom we lost our gayety, all in a moment. Something unpleasant had evidently happened. Two of the eldest girls were sitting together in a corner, separated from the rest, and lo…
They all notice at home that I am looking worn and haggard. That hideous old maid, Miss Jillgall, had her malicious welcome ready for me when we met at breakfast this morning: “Dear Helena, what has b…
The event of to-day began with the delivery of a message summoning me to my father’s study. He had decided—too hastily, as I feared—that he was sufficiently recovered to resume his usual employments. …
Indeed, I am a most unfortunate creature; everything turns out badly with me. My good, true friend, my dear Selina, has become the object of a hateful doubt in my secret mind. I am afraid she is keepi…
Looking at the last entry in my Journal, I see myself anticipating that the event of to-day will decide Philip’s future and mine. This has proved prophetic. All further concealment is now at an end. …
On reaching the street which led to Philip’s hotel, we spoke to each other for the first time. “What are we to do?” I said. “Leave this place,” he answered. “Together?” I asked. “Yes.” To leave u…
Through the day, and through the night, I feel a misery that never leaves me—I mean the misery of fear. I am trying to find out some harmless means of employing myself, which will keep evil remembran…
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