The Devil's Spectacles is perhaps Wilkie Collins' most unusual and bizarre tale. It tells the story of Alfred, a young landed gentleman who is given by Septimus Notman, a sailor on his deathbed, a pair of unusual spectacles. These, Septimus had received from the Devil in person, under most unusual circumstances.

The spectacles have strange supernatural powers, enabling the wearer to see the thoughts and emotions of others around him. Septimus advises Alfred to deploy the Devil's spectacles to unravel a complex love situation in which he currently finds himself. The results are not in the least what Alfred expects....