Sherborne

Sherborne tells the story of a secret and unconsummated marriage, between the aristocratic Sherborne and Adelphie Sherwin, the daughter of a linen draper, kept secret for one year. Sherborne struggles between the social pressures of his class, embodied in the character of his proud and honourable father, and his passion for Adelphie. But as the year unwinds his family is ripped apart by the silent presence of his secret life and Sherborne becomes increasingly daunted by the Sherwin's business employee, Mannion. A man whose 'voice was as void of expression as his face', Mannion still holds a mysterious force over the family. Mr. Sherwin is entirely dependant on him, Mrs. Sherwin seems to fear his very presence but remains silent, and even Adelphie refuses to discuss his character. As the climax of the year draws near Sherborne suffers the shocks and horrors of betrayal, insanity and death. The time is 1958 and the place is Great Britian . . . each laid a talon on my shoulder - each raised a veil which was one hideous network of twining worms. I saw through the ghastly corruption of their faces the look that told me who they were - the monstrous iniquities incarnate in monstrous forms; the fiendsouls made visible in fiendshapes