"The Mourner" is a story about a young man named Neville and a young lady named Ellen. In the beginning of the narration, Neville is walking with his fiance Juliet in Virginia Water. They come upon an unmarked grave the Neville is familiar with, that of his childhood friend Ellen. Neville then narrates their tale, assuring his soon to be bride that he was never in love with her. Neville ran away from boarding school, and after falling asleep under a tree meets Ellen who takes her to a little cottage that she lives in. They become friends, and Neville visits her every day and they become fast friends. Ellen is a melancholy child that contemplates suicide, who is just drowning in her misery without the companionship of Neville. When Neville leaves for holiday, Ellen tells him not to write to