A mysterious letter from New Orleans arrives to disturb the untroubled existence of Combe Raven House in West Somersetshire.

What is the secret being kept by Mr and Mrs Vanstone from their devoted daughters, Magdalen and Norah?

Published in 1862, Wilkie Collins novel dramatised in six parts by Ray Jenkins.

Magdalen Vanstone ...... Sophie Thompson
Captain Wragge ...... Jack May
Norah Vanstone ...... Elizabeth Mansfield
Miss Garth ...... Kathleen Helme
Mrs Vanstone ...... Jo Kendall
Mr Vanstone ...... Michael Graham Cox
Mr Clare ...... Peter Woodthorpe
Frank Clare ...... Paul Downing
Manager ...... Christopher Good
Miss Marable ...... Susan Sheridan
Mrs Marable ...... Joanna Mackie
Mr Pendril ...... John Moffatt
Narrator ...... Philip Sully

Music by Peter Brewis and played by Maurice Cambridge.

Director: Janet Whitaker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1989. Show less