The book with which Arno Schmidt recovered from 'Zettel's Traum' tells of dark figures from London's underworld, lost sons and forgiving fathers, half-educated craftsmen, stuttering preachers, wandering actors and traveling folk, delicate child brides and lovesick ladies, the woman in iron gray, Lady Frost, and poodle Toby. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens, unfolds in this extensive novel the colorful panorama of Victorian society. The wealthy Lord Darrell and the lady he loves, Lady Montfort, fall victim to treacherous intrigues just like the poor actress Sophie and her admirer Lionel Haughton. Jasper Losely is the unscrupulous thief and blackmailer who ensures that they all drive each other to madness time and again. Edward Bulwer-Lytton's portrayal of London society around 1850 is full of schemes and twists, all set against a fast-paced narrative.