At 44, Dickens began a liaison with a young actress. To safeguard his reputation, he publicly announced that it was his wife's fault that their marriage had failed, removed her from their house and forbade their children to see her. He then pretended a bachelor existence, hiding Nelly completely away. When he died his sister-in-law and Nelly herself continued the deception. All records, letters and diaries were destroyed. Or were they? Read and find out.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 58 Autumn 2010 ) |
