An Old Man's Darling

A novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story centers around Bonnibel Vere, a young and beautiful girl enjoying the summer sun at Cape May, who becomes entangled in matters of love, fortune-telling, and fate. The opening chapters introduce her encounter with a mysterious old woman, who prophesies a troubling future intertwined with love and sorrow, setting the stage for tension between Bonnibel's desires and the men who seek her. At the start of the novel, we meet Bonnibel as she enjoys a carefree day by the seashore. Her pleasant moments are disrupted by an old hag who reads her palm, giving an ominous warning about sorrow linked to her beauty and foreshadowing a fate where she will be “an old man's darling.” Following this strange encounter, Bonnibel's relationship with Leslie Dane, a young artist, blossoms amidst familial obstacles posed by her wealthy uncle, who disapproves of the match. As the narrative unfolds, themes of love, socioeconomic disparity, and the fragile nature of happiness emerge, culminating in escalating tensions that suggest a gripping tale of passion, loss, and resilience.