001 - 1 - Before the Story First Scene

In the aftermath of war and shifting allegiances, the church finds itself deprived of a precious piece of land. Father Benwell is resolute in his quest to reclaim it, and he believes the key lies in converting its owner, Lewis Romayne. But when the enchanting Stella enters the scene, capturing Romayne’s heart, Father Benwells plans hang in the balance. As love blooms, so do secrets—both Romayne and Stella harbor dark truths that could change everything. The Black Robe, an 1881 epistolary novel by the renowned Wilkie Collins, delves into the tangled web of desire, ambition, and betrayal, while also addressing themes of anti-Catholic sentiment. (Summary by Mike Zane and Wikipedia)