The Castle of Otranto Novel

Manfred Prince of Otranto had one son and one daughter: the latter a most beautiful virgin aged eighteen was called Matilda. Conrad the son was three years younger a homely youth sickly and of no promising disposition; yet he was the darling of his father who never showed any symptoms of affection to Matilda. Manfred had contracted a marriage for his son with the Marquis of Vicenza’s daughter Isabella; and she had already been delivered by her guardians into the hands of Manfred that he might celebrate the wedding as soon as Conrad’s infirm state of health would permit.