Summary:
"Millbank; or, Roger Irving's Ward" by Mary Jane Holmes is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Roger Irving, a young boy who inherits his family’s estate, Millbank, after the sudden death of his father. As Roger navigates the aftermath of his father's passing, he faces familial tension, especially with his stepmother, Mrs. Walter Scott, who harbors her own ambitions for the estate. At the start of the narrative, the atmosphere is somber as the household prepares for Roger's arrival home following his father's unexpected death. The chapter details the preparations surrounding the funeral and introduces key characters, including Roger's stepmother, who appears to have ulterior motives for her newfound position at Millbank. Meanwhile, Roger's relationship with the loyal housekeeper, Hester Floyd, highlights the contrasting familial dynamics at play. The opening sets the stage for Roger's challenges as he deals with grief and the implications of his inheritance, against the backdrop of potential manipulation by those around him. (This is an automatically generated summary.)