Cold House

Esther Summerson does not know her mother, but she is well aware of her shameful illegitimate origin. From a young age, she is destined for the modest role of companion in the Cold House estate. Determined to marry Esther, the cunning and grasping clerk William Guppy notices a striking resemblance between the girl he fancies and the dazzling socialite Lady Dedlock – and begins to dig for the truth. Link by link, a chain of deceptions, intrigues, and cruel blackmail grows, of which Esther herself is completely unaware...