Charles Major

Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall Charles Major

Charles Major (1856-1913) originally published Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall in 1908. This work covers the life and romances of Dorothy Vernon in Elizabethan England. The story is narrated by Sir George Vernon's 35-year-old cousin, Malcolm François de Lorraine. Sir George suggested that Malcolm marry George's daughter Dorothy as a way to keep the Vernon properties held by Vernons. Malcolm is attracted to Dorothy but thinks her too beautiful and strong willed to make a good wife. Dorothy and John develop a secret romance, aided by Malcolm and hidden from her father, who first presses her to marry Malcolm, and then the son of the Earl of Derby. Various dramatic elements include a chapter in which Dorothy is imprisoned in her bedroom, but manages to disguise herself as Malcolm to escape and meet John; John fails to recognize her, thinking her a male stranger, and makes some embarrassing remarks about his previous love affairs, and then when he realizes she is a woman, fails to recognize her as Dorothy, but attempts to kiss her, causing her to reveal herself. Later, John disguises himself and takes a job as a household servant at Haddon Hall to be able to spend time with Dorothy; she fails to recognize him for days until he reveals himself. The book was made into a film in 1924 with Mary Pickford playing the role of Dorothy Vernon.