The Lady of the Barge by W. W. Jacobs

This collection by W. W. Jacobs includes eerie tales, romantic interludes, and moral fables, all tied together by unexpected twists. The title story involves a mysterious woman and a shocking act aboard a river barge. As secrets unravel, the line between innocence and guilt becomes blurred. Jacobs mixes suspense and irony in tales where consequences often come with a sting. The collection is best known for its blend of the supernatural and the psychological.