Wilkie Collins 
The Queen Of Hearts 

This Collins' collection of 10 short stories was published in 1859. These stories are a mix of adventure, romance, suspense, mystery, etc. The Queen of Hearts', the school nickname of Jessie who is living with her elderly guardian. Griffith, a lawyer, lives with his two brothers, a clergyman and a doctor, in an deserted house in South Wales, called the Glen Tower. They each have their own specific personalities and peculiarities. This book is about a young woman Jessie Yelverton, 20 years of age who will soon succeed the legacy from her dead parents. Through a unusual set of circumstances, Jessie is forced to stay at one of her guardian's home for six weeks prior to her 21st birthday. The guardian's name is Griffith who lives with his two older brothers. Griffith's son, George is in love with Jessie and the three brothers arrange to delay her leaving for 10 days so that George can propose on his return from the Crimean War. This novel mirrors the affection of the time.