Two photographs of Henry James’ cousin, Minnie Temple. The one on the left is the one that Henry James owned. The one on the right was the one Helena owned. Minnie was to be Helena’s “new” husband. You can find the story of their teenage years in Chapter One of this new novel.

Minnie died in 1870 of tuberculosis. Helena and Minnie had been separated in 1863 by their families. And Minnie’s sister refused to let letters pass between the two girls.