In which a humble portrait-painter, accustomed to traversing the varied social landscapes of Britain and Ireland, sets down the curious manner in which he gathers the tales of his sitters—often by chance, and with patient observation. He recounts an encounter in Liverpool with a young traveller, whose earnest wish for an unvarnished likeness leads to the unveiling of a captivating story, promising a narrative both engaging and true to life.

In which a gentleman finds himself ensnared in a deadly contrivance hidden within the very furniture of a gambling-house, where a bed’s canopy ominously descends with silent, mechanical precision to suffocate its occupant. Rescued by a sudden surge of life and aided by the vigilant intervention of the police, he unveils a most diabolical plot, revealing the dreadful secrets concealed beneath the surface of Parisian society.

In which a youthful English gentleman, seeking a raw and unvarnished glimpse of Parisian gambling life, finds himself caught in the thrilling and bewildering whirl of fortune at a notorious gambling-house. After a night of prodigious winnings and convivial companionship with a curious old soldier, he retires to a peculiar British four-poster bed in a strange room, where a restless vigour and haunting curiosities prevent him from finding rest.

In which we find Leah Kerby chronicling the trials and hopeful endurance of her family as her husband, a humble travelling portrait-painter, struggles with a threatening eye illness that forbids him from practising his art and imperils their meagre livelihood. Guided by the kindness of a compassionate local doctor, they reluctantly leave the comfort of their lodgings to seek modest refuge at a country farmhouse, where the warmth of simple rural life offers a gentle contrast to their uncertain future.

In which Mr. Wilkie Collins offers a thoughtful preface revealing his earnest endeavour to weave together a collection of tales through the diary of a modest travelling portrait-painter and his wife’s observations, aiming to shed light on the artist’s life and the intertwined narratives that follow. He expresses gratitude to those who have aided him and clarifies that the stories, though set in foreign locales, are wholly his own creations, born from his imagination and literary care.

In which a family, grappling with hardship and uncertainty, finds new hope through the clever notion of transforming cherished stories into a book, conceived by the wife's keen observation during a lively farmhouse evening. Encouraged by a supportive doctor and buoyed by shared enthusiasm, they resolve to labour after dark, naming their literary venture *After Dark*, and thus begin an enterprise that promises relief and renewed purpose.

In which an old gentleman pens a detailed letter revealing the sombre events surrounding a deceased woman at a sanitarium and the curious silence that veils the truth, while offering an account of those affected and their fortunes. Alongside this tale of mystery, there is a vivid depiction of London life, including an unexpected sermon by a notorious lady and reflections on the fickle nature of human folly.

In which Allan and Midwinter share a heartfelt conversation on the eve of Allan’s wedding, reflecting upon past secrets and the steadfast bond of their friendship. Together they find solace in hope and faith, as the dawn of a new day gently ushers in the promise of future endeavours.

In which the author reflects upon the curious and tragic coincidence involving a ship named "The Armadale," where three successive shipkeepers were fatally overcome by poisonous air, a fact verifiable in contemporary newspapers. He further discloses the painstaking care taken to ensure geographical and professional accuracy throughout the narrative, drawn from personal investigation and expert consultation.

In which the night unfolds within the silent corridors of the Sanitarium, as cautious exchanges and secret stratagems guard against unseen perils, and a somber ritual of life and death quietly transpires behind closed doors. There is a haunting interplay of shadowed intentions and tender farewells, where courage, deception, and despair mingle beneath the waning moon’s pale light.