The Project Gutenberg EBook of Love Eternal, by H. Rider Haggard

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Title: Love Eternal

Author: H. Rider Haggard

Posting Date: May 13, 2009 [EBook #3709]
Release Date: February, 2003
First Posted: July 31, 2001

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LOVE ETERNAL ***

Produced by John Bickers and Dagny. HTML version by Al Haines.

LOVE ETERNAL

by

H. RIDER HAGGARD

TO

THE REV. PHILIP T. BAINBRIDGE

Vicar of St. Thomas' Regent Street, London

You, whose privilege it is by instruction and example to
strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees of many,
may perhaps care to read of one whose human love led her from
darkness into light and on to the gates of the Love Eternal.

CONTENTS

I HONEST JOHN
II ISOBEL KISSES GODFREY
III THE PLANTAGENET LADY
IV THE GARDEN IN THE SQUARE
V MADAME RIENNES
VI EXPERIENCES
VII MR. KNIGHT AND DUTY
VIII THE PASTEUR TAKES THE FIELD
IX THE PASTEUR CONQUERS
X GODFREY BECOMES A HERO
XI JULIETTE'S FAREWELL
XII HOME
XIII THE INTERVENING YEARS
XIV TOGETHER
XV FOR EVER
XVI LOVE AND LOSS
XVII INDIA
XVIII FRANCE--AND AFTER
XIX MARRIAGE
XX ORDERS
XXI LOVE ETERNAL

LOVE ETERNAL

CHAPTER I

HONEST JOHN

More than thirty years ago two atoms of the eternal Energy sped forth
from the heart of it which we call God, and incarnated themselves in
the human shapes that were destined to hold them for a while, as vases
hold perfumes, or goblets wine, or as sparks of everlasting radium
inhabit the bowels of the rock. Perhaps these two atoms, or essences,
or monads indestructible, did but repeat an adventure, or many, many
adventures. Perhaps again and again they had proceeded from that Home
august and imperishable on certain mornings of the days of Time, to
return thither at noon or nightfall, laden with the fruits of gained
experience. So at least one of them seemed to tell the other before all
was done and that other came to believe. If so, over what fields did
they roam th