The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Short summary

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Because of a disputed plot of land, a family curse has been placed on the Pinchet family, which only a decade and a half later can be broken by the couple in love.

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The Pinchet family mansion is located in a New England town. Formerly owned by Mola, Colonel Pinchet tried unsuccessfully to reclaim the property. He accused Mola of witchcraft, but before his execution, the man managed to put a curse on Pinchet and his descendants.

The colonel himself died in the house, and his descendants were haunted by misfortune and the family became impoverished. Dozens of years later, only old maid Gethsiba and her brother Clifford were left to live in the house.

Old Judge Pinchet, reminiscent of his perfidious ancestor, tricks Clifford into discovering the whereabouts of the family fortune. He threatens his kinsman with a madhouse. The judge dies suddenly, and Gethsiba and her brother hurry away.

Phoebe and Holgrave move into the house. After a while, they have an affair that ends in marriage. The curse loses its power, as Holgrave is related to Matthew Mola, and the disputed plot reverts to its former owner.

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