I'm Keith Morrison and this is episode 2 of Wilkie Collins, the Dead

Alive. Our narrator attorney Philip La, has arrived in America seeking the peace and quiet of

Morwick Farm. For the sake of his precarious health, instead he finds himself surrounded by a cauldron of intense emotions.

There is soaring romance.

Ambrose Meadowcroft has won the heart of the charming Naomi Colbrook, but there's hate here too.

And jealousy and fury barely contained, directed to the strange and intense farm manager John Jago, who suddenly demands a private meeting with Naomi in the garden.

With a growing dread, Philip watches them whispering in the shadows.

Early next morning, he's roused by the sound of shouting outside his window.

His fears are about to be realized. Here again is

Wilkie Collins, the dead alive. Chapter 4 The Beachwood Stick Persons of Sensitive Nervous Temperament sleeping for the first time in a strange house and in a bed that is new to them must generally resign themselves to pass a wakeful night.

My first night at Morwick Farm was no exception to this

rule. The little sleep I had was broken and disturbed by dreams. Towards six o'clock in the morning my bed became unendurable to me.

The sun was shining in brightly in the window. Just as I got out of bed I heard footsteps and voices under my window.

The persons beneath me were Mr. Metacroft's son, Silas, John Jago, and three farm workers.

Silas was swinging a stout beechwood walking stick in his hand

and was speaking to Jago coarsely about his moonlight meeting with

Naomi.

Next time you go courting a young lady in secret, said Silas, Make sure that the moon goes down first,

or wait for a cloudy sky.

You were seen in the garden, Mr. Jago.

And you may as well tell us the truth for once.

Did you find her open to persuasion, sir?

...