Brewer's: Lucia Di Lammermoor

Called Lucy Ashton by Sir Walter Scott, was the sister of Lord Henry Ashton of Lammermoor, who, to retrieve the fallen fortunes of the family, arranges a marriage between his sister and Lord Arthur Bucklaw (or Frank Hayston, laird of Bucklaw). Unknown to Henry Ashton, Edgardo (or Edgar), master of Ravens-wood), whose family has long been in a state of hostility with the Lammermoors, is in love with Lucy, and his attachment is reciprocated. While Edgar is absent in France on an embassy, Lucy is made to believe, by feigned letters, that Edgar is unfaithful to her, and in her frenzy of indignation consents to marry the laird of Bucklaw; but on the wedding night she stabs her husband, goes mad, and dies. (Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, an opera; and SirWalterScott: Brids of Lammermoor.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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