This collection includes nine of Elizabeth Gaskell's Gothic short stories: "The Old Nurse's Story" (1852); "Disappearances" (1853); "The Poor Clare" (1856); "The Doom of the Griffiths" (1858); "Lois the Witch" (1859); "The Crooked Branch" (1859); "Curious If True" (1860); "The Grey Woman" (1861); and "Crowley Castle" (1863). The editions of these stories are taken from the last versions which were published during Gaskell's lifetime, with appropriate notations on alterations made since their original publication.