"The Living Link: A Novel" by James De Mille is a work of fiction set in the mid-19th century. The story revolves around Edith Dalton, a young woman who navigates the complexities of her life after receiving shocking news about her father, leading to revelations of dark family secrets and her quest for truth. The narrative unfolds in Plympton Terrace, a fashionable boarding school, and transitions to Dalton Hall, where Edith grapples with grief and confrontations with her father's past. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Edith and her friends, who are suddenly hushed by the arrival of disturbing news about her estranged father. Following a tense but emotional conversation with her aunt Miss Plympton, Edith learns of her father's death, which reignites her longing to connect with him and understand her family’s hidden truths. As details emerge, they hint at a past filled with betrayal and accusation, particularly surrounding a figure named John Wiggins, who now manages her family estate. The opening portion establishes a tense atmosphere and a strong sense of personal conflict as Edith prepares to reclaim her rightful place, driven by a desire to confront Wiggins and uncover the truth about her father's legacy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)