Wilkie Collins’s "The Two Destinies" is a novel of mystery and the supernatural, exploring themes of destiny, forbidden love, and psychic connection. The story is a framed narrative, told by a man reflecting on the strange and seemingly pre-ordained path of his life. It begins with a childhood encounter in Scotland, where the young narrator meets a little girl named Mary Dermount by the side of a lake. They feel an immediate and inexplicable bond, vowing to marry each other when they grow up. They are separated for years, but the memory of this meeting haunts them both. The narrative follows their parallel lives, which are mysteriously intertwined through dreams and visions. The hero repeatedly sees a apparition of Mary as a woman in distress, guiding him and warning him at critical moments, even as they remain physically apart and unaware of each other's whereabouts. Their destinies seem to be pulling them together against all odds, but they are thwarted by social obstacles, including Mary’s marriage to another man and the rigid class distinctions of Victorian society. The novel delves into the occult, featuring a mysterious woman with psychic powers who influences their fates. Wilkie Collins creates a haunting and suspenseful atmosphere, questioning whether the two lovers are truly guided by a benevolent destiny or are merely pawns in a larger, more inscrutable design.

Table of Contents:

• The Two Destinies. Part 1

• The Two Destinies. Part 2

• The Two Destinies. Part 3

• The Two Destinies. Part 4

• The Two Destinies. Part 5

• The Two Destinies. Part 6