The Lake of Wine

by Bernard Capes

"The Lake of Wine" by Bernard Capes is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story begins at Whitelaw’s Club in London, where a group of gentlemen experiences dramatic upheavals during a night of high-stakes gambling. The main character, Sir Robert Linne, finds himself grappling with ruin and desperation, setting the stage for a narrative filled with themes of loss, identity, and the haunting legacies of the past. At the start of the narrative, the atmosphere at the gambling club is tense and uneasy, as four members suffer significant losses, leading to a violent confrontation that forces Sir Robert into a corner. Following this chaos, he contemplates suicide but is interrupted by an unexpected encounter with a mysterious lawyer. This marks the beginning of a transformative journey for Sir Robert as he inherits an estate, only to discover it is steeped in neglect and shadows. The opening chapters set a tone of melancholy and intrigue, introducing the complex interplay between fate and personal choice as Sir Robert navigates his new life at Delsrop House, where eerie happenings and his own haunted past await.