Ormond; or, the Secret Witness, was written by Charles Brockden Brown and published in 1799. It is a book set against the backdrop of the founding of the United States of America (and the adaption of the Constitution) and the Yellow Fever epidemic of late 18th-century Philadelphia. Brown's book follows Constantia Dudley, a young woman who exudes confidence and determination in an age where both are rare for women. The book picks up after the death of their family's father, who was the breadwinner of the family. After his death, they struggle to stay afloat financially, which is exacerbated by the Yellow Fever ravaging through the city.
Eventually, Constantia becomes the object of two men's affections: Martinette, a mysterious man with a strange and dark past, and Ormond, who is seemingly kind but morally ambiguous. After getting to know him more, Constantia uncovers that Ormond is part of a secret society called the Illuminati, which seeks to overthrow traditional social structures and the Constitution. After getting to know her more, Ormond attempts to seduce her and enlist her help in the cause of the Illuminati.
Eventually, Constantia's brother Edgar became embroiled in political plots aimed at overthrowing the U.S. government and its Constitution. As a result, he is falsely accused of being a member of the Illuminati. He is threatened with prison time as a result of this. Meanwhile, Constantia is determined to save her brother and confronts Ormond to ask why he led the authorities to her brother, whom she loves dearly. During their encounter, Ormond tells Constantia about his true intentions, which involve covering up his actions by involving her brother. Women in the world of Ormond; or, the Secret Witness, have little power or value because of their gender, upsetting Constantia and making her work hard to achieve parity between men and women.
After she works hard to save him, Constantia finds a witness who is willing to implicate Ormond in the plot to overthrow the government. This witness also exonerates Edgar, relieving Constantia. As a result, Ormond is imprisoned, and Edgar is released.
