Thomas Hardy

Desperate Remedies illustrated Thomas Hardy

Desperate Remedies tells the story of Cytherea Gray, who becomes as lady's maid, although she is in love with Edward Springrove, who is already engaged to marry another young woman. Cytherea then makes a misalliance with the dreadful and possibly murderous Aeneas Manston. With suspense, Aeneas' villainy and treachery are finally revealed, with happy results for Cytherea and Edward. Far different in tone from Hardy's later novels, Desperate Remedies has more Gothic suspense than brooding depression.