The "Demon Lover" is a short story written by Irish author Elizabeth Bowen. It tells the story of a woman named Mrs. Drover, who receives a mysterious letter from her former fiancé, Mr. Wesley, asking her to meet him at her old family home in London. Mrs. Drover is now married and living in the countryside, but she decides to go to London to meet Mr. Wesley out of curiosity.
Upon arriving at the house, Mrs. Drover finds that it is in a state of disrepair and abandonment. She is greeted by a strange woman who claims to be the housekeeper, and Mr. Wesley arrives soon after. Mrs. Drover is shocked by his appearance, as he seems to have aged significantly since she last saw him.
Mr. Wesley tells Mrs. Drover that he has been working as a spy and has been away from civilization for a long time. He explains that he needs her help to deliver a package to a contact in Paris, and offers her a large sum of money in return. Mrs. Drover is hesitant, but Mr. Wesley is persuasive and she eventually agrees to help.
As they prepare to leave for Paris, Mrs. Drover begins to feel uneasy and has a sense of foreboding. She starts to suspect that Mr. Wesley may not be who he claims to be, and that there may be something sinister about the package he wants her to deliver.
After they arrive in Paris, Mrs. Drover's suspicions are confirmed when she discovers that the package contains incriminating documents. She realizes that Mr. Wesley is actually a traitor, and that she has been unknowingly aiding him in his espionage activities.
In the end, Mrs. Drover manages to escape from Mr. Wesley and the authorities are alerted to his activities. The story concludes with Mrs. Drover returning to her peaceful life in the countryside, shaken but relieved to have escaped the clutches of the "demon lover" who had tried to manipulate and deceive her.
Overall, "Demon Lover" is a suspenseful and intriguing story that explores themes of deception, manipulation, and the consequences of blindly trusting others. It is a cautionary tale that reminds us to be careful and cautious in our interactions with others, especially when we are faced with unexpected or unfamiliar situations.