Wings of the Dove, The

Wings of the Dove, The, a novel by H. James published 1902.

The handsome and clever Kate Croy allows herself to be taken up by her rich aunt, Maud Lowder; she is as determined to feather her nest as she is genuinely in love with Merton Densher, a journalist without bright financial prospects. While on a visit to New York Densher meets Milly Theale, an orphaned, gentle girl who is immensely rich. Her wings are weighted with gold. Milly travels to Europe with her friend Susan Stringham, and in London she is gathered into Mrs Lowder's circle. She is anxious to meet Densher again and is disturbed to learn, from a disapproving Mrs Lowder, of his interest in Kate. While in London she learns that she is doomed and is advised by the sympathetic doctor Sir Luke Strett to seize what joy she can from life. She instals herself in a palazzo in Venice, and with their varying motives her friends gather round her. Kate and Densher become lovers. The predatory Kate persuades a reluctant Densher to make a show of love for Milly in the hope that, dying, she will provide for him—and for them. After Milly's death Densher does indeed discover that she has done so, but he finds himself unable to accept the money, and Kate. Their very success in this dreadful game has brought about the death of their relationship.