The Alabaster Box (1900)

The Alabaster Box is a novel written by Walter Besant and published in 1900. The story is set in London during the late 19th century and follows the life of a young woman named Hester, who is forced to leave her home and live with her aunt after her father's death. Hester's aunt is a wealthy woman who is obsessed with social status and is determined to marry her niece off to a wealthy man.Despite her aunt's wishes, Hester falls in love with a struggling artist named Ralph. The two of them embark on a passionate affair, but their happiness is threatened by Hester's aunt, who is determined to break them apart. Hester's aunt discovers that Ralph is the son of a convicted criminal and uses this information to blackmail Hester into marrying a wealthy man.The novel explores themes of love, social status, and the power of money. It also provides a detailed portrayal of the social and cultural norms of Victorian England. The Alabaster Box is a compelling and engaging novel that offers a glimpse into the lives of people during a time of great social change.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.