This is a deeply subversive novel about the ambiguity of surface appearance, of superficial morality. But Midwinter has an equally ambiguous background and has been equally badly treated, yet is innately good. Collins implies that Gwilt's immorality is a product of her ambiguous background, how she was badly treated as a child and as an adult. A creature of pure will, yet she wavers when confronted by the forcefield for good that is Ozias Midwinter. She has no compunction in using her looks to influence the men around her, especially the pathetically besotted Bashwood. Lydia Gwilt is a masterly creation, an attractive lady of dubious background but well-educated, few morals but a talented pianist and much more cultured than the oafish Armadale. But Lydia Gwilt has her eyes on Allan, has obtained a role as Neelie's Governess, and Jane Eyre she isn't. Armadale has fallen for Eleanor, the daughter of his tenant, Major Milroy. In the young Allan Armadale Collins created an engaging if infuriating hero, charming but impetuous, who needs Ozias Midwinter and the Reverend Brock to keep him out of trouble. It takes time to develop, but once it gets going it is compelling. That is not to say this is not a good book - it is. Wilkie Collins is the master of the convoluted plot, but the explication in this novel is of a Byzantine complexity that completely outdoes all others. The above is only for starters - when the devious Lydia Gwilt discovers Ozias' secret, she embarks on a scheme of her own which is even more bewildering, which culminates in a denouement which presages all these films where the baddie has devised a long-drawn out end for the hero, when a quick shot to the temple may have been less elegant but much more practical. He befriends a young man of similar age named Ozias Midwinter - but that is not his real name. Twenty-one years later, and young Allan Armadale is being brought up by his widowed mother in England. Armadale-Ingleby sails for England with Armadale-Wentmore in hot pursuit. Armadale-Wentmore hires Fergus Ingleby as his clerk, and sails to Madeira where he has been promised his relative Miss Blanchard in marriage - however, Ingleby, who is of course the disowned son Allan Armadale in disguise, has got there first and married Miss Blanchard. In Barbados, Allan Armadale disowns his son Allan Armadale and passes his fortune to his cousin Allan Wentmore on condition he takes the surname Armadale.
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