They Looked and Loved; Or, Won by Faith

"They Looked and Loved; Or, Won by Faith" by Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller is a romance novel written in the late 19th century. The story appears to center around a young girl named Nita, who experiences despair and desperation, leading her to enter into a troubling marriage with an old miser named Charles Farnham. The narrative introduces themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of societal expectations and personal desires. At the start of the story, Nita is encountered in a state of distress under a tree in Central Park, contemplating ending her life due to her dire circumstances. She is approached by the grotesque Farnham, who offers her the riches she desires in exchange for her hand in marriage. Despite her initial rejection, the desperate situation propels her to agree, leading her into a world of wealth that is entangled with the sinister secrets of her new husband. The early chapters establish her emotional turmoil and hint at a deeper mystery surrounding her parentage, setting the stage for future conflicts and romantic developments, particularly as she meets Dorian Mountcastle, who becomes her love interest amid the perils of her current life.