Phantom Fortune

The Phantom Fortune is a novel written by Mary E. Braddon, first published in 1883. The story revolves around the life of a young woman named Isabel Gilbert, who inherits a large fortune from her uncle, a wealthy businessman. However, as she begins to enjoy her newfound wealth, she discovers that her uncle's business dealings were not entirely honest, and she becomes embroiled in a scandal that threatens to ruin her reputation and destroy her fortune.Isabel's troubles begin when she falls in love with a young man named Valentine Jernam, who is the son of her uncle's former business partner. Valentine is convinced that Isabel's uncle cheated his father out of a large sum of money, and he is determined to uncover the truth. As he investigates, he discovers that Isabel's uncle was involved in a complex web of financial fraud, and that Isabel's fortune may be tainted by his criminal activities.As the scandal unfolds, Isabel is forced to confront the harsh realities of her family's past, and she must decide whether to fight for her inheritance or to relinquish it in order to preserve her honor. Along the way, she encounters a cast of colorful characters, including a mysterious fortune-teller, a scheming lawyer, and a dashing young artist who may hold the key to her future happiness.The Phantom Fortune is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, set against the backdrop of Victorian England. With its vivid characters, intricate plot, and richly detailed setting, it is a classic of English literature that continues to captivate readers today.It was known that I was of East Indian birth, but little more was known about me. It was only when years had gone by and I was a merchant on my own account and could afford to go to India on a voyage of discovery--yes, as much a voyage of discovery as that of Vasco de Gama or of Drake--that I got from the Madras agent the clue which enabled me, at the cost of infinite patience and infinite labour, to unravel the mystery of my birth. There is no need to enter now upon the details of that story. I have overwhelming documentary evidence--a cloud of witnesses--to convince the most sceptical as to who and what I am.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.