The mystery road
| Language | en |
|---|---|
| First published | 2026-02-02 |
| Rights | Public domain in the USA. |
| Gutenberg ID | #77836 |
Description
"The mystery road" by E. Phillips Oppenheim is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Myrtile, a young French peasant who flees an arranged marriage and is taken to Monte Carlo by two Englishmen: the dashing aristocrat Gerald Dombey and his steadier friend, barrister Christopher Bent. Amid Riviera glitter, Gerald is captivated by a mysterious beauty traveling incognito, while Christopher tries to protect Myrtile and secure her a respectable future. The setup promises romantic entanglements, social and moral friction, and hints of international intrigue. The opening of the novel shows Myrtile escaping her coarse stepfather’s plan to marry her to a drunken innkeeper, then pleading for help from Gerald and Christopher when their car breaks down near her farm. They bring her to Monte Carlo and settle her quietly, but while Christopher urges restraint and practical plans, Gerald grows infatuated with Pauline, a striking young woman accompanied by a severe “aunt” who shuns introductions. A visit to a dressmaker exposes the men’s opposing aims for Myrtile—Gerald’s urge to glamorize her versus Christopher’s insistence on plain, suitable clothes—while scenes at Pauline’s villa suggest exile, money troubles, and secret political ties. By the excerpt’s end, Gerald engineers a clandestine seaside meeting and a drive with Pauline, neglects Myrtile, and confides to Christopher that his obsession is growing, setting conflict in motion. (This is an automatically generated summary.)