Basil and Annette presents a gripping tale of imposture, fraud, and cheating. It explores the story of young Basil Whittingham, who is a typical honest, frank, masculine English gentleman. The novel presents another unforgettable character, Annette, a fourteen-year-old girl and the only child of Basil's companion, Anthony Bidaud. A series of unexpected events occur when an impostor pretending to be Basil enters the plot. Excerpt from Basil and Annette "In the old world the reign of winter has commenced. The woods are snow-white, the hedges are frosted over, the pools are frozen, icicles hang from the branches of the trees. Wayfarers walk briskly, stamp their feet, and beat their hands to keep the circulation going; while other humans, whom business does not call from their houses, snuggle round the fireside, with doors and windows closed to keep out the nipping air."