The Legacy of Cain by Wilkie Collins, Fiction, Literary

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The narrative centers on the conviction of a woman for murdering her husband after a tumultuous two-year marriage marked by his reckless behavior and social downfall. Despite his violent tendencies, he exhibited affection and remorse, complicating the moral landscape of the case. The wife's premeditated act, rather than a crime of passion, led to a death sentence, as her defense of madness failed. The story critiques public sympathy for the accused, emphasizing the judge’s and Home Secretary's unwavering stance against the misguided outcry for clemency.