Eve's Ransom

by George Gissing

"Eve's Ransom" by George Gissing is a novel published in 1895. When mechanical draughtsman Maurice Hilliard suddenly comes into money, he abandons his monotonous work to live freely for as long as his funds last. His travels lead him to Eve Madeley, a struggling bookkeeper earning a meager weekly wage. As Hilliard discovers her portrait and tracks her down, their meeting sparks a connection that draws them both toward an uncertain future, testing the boundaries of freedom, love, and financial necessity.