The Orphan Of The Rhine By Eleanor Sleath

2.3 The Orphan of the Rhine

The Orphan of the Rhine by Eleanor Sleath was published in 1798. Julie de Rubine is an orphan who marries the Marchese de Montferrat. After she gives birth to Enrico, the Marchese tells her that the marriage is not valid. A few years later, he asks her to take care of an infant girl, use a false name and never ask why. In return, he will secure Enrico. Julie agrees and on her way to a new home she helps a man, La Roque.

The girl is named Laurette and they live in the castle of Elfinbach for nearly 18 years. Enrico and Laurette have feelings for each other, but Julie fears they might be related through the Marchese. One day, Julie finds la Roque who was imprisoned by the Marchese. She releases him, but loses her bracelet, therefore the Marchese learns about her deed, arranges her abduction and commands Laurette to go live with him. Before her departure, a monk approaches Laurette and tells her that she should not trust the Marchese and gives her a picture of her mother. The Marchese soon proposes marriage to Laurette. She refuses and overhears him

There are hints about castles which are haunted, but never actually demonstrated. The mystery lies in the murders of two women and the enigmatic Clermont, who refuses to disclose his story. Therefore, not even the characters can be generalized as typically Gothic. Madeline is the central character, however, Clermont suffers the major injustice. More unusual is the fact that the D’Alemberts are the villains, but they appear only as minor characters for a short period of time and their actions are described through displaced narratives. Consequently, some of the narratives are presented without the actual knowledge that D’Alembert is the wrongdoer, which is explained at the end of the novel. Moreover, Roche introduces a great variety of ordinary people who create comic relief, provide back story or serve the main