Severance; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I AFTER four years' absence with his regiment, during which period he had seen some active service in Burmah, and otherwise gained considerable and varied experience, Forrest Ballantyne reached London late one evening in April. From Waterloo station he was driven to Northumberland Avenue, where he engaged a room at an hotel which had not finished building at the time of his departure. Although many things seemed vastly changed, none had undergone so complete a transformation as himself. Forrest had left England very much in love. He believed he had lost the greatest prize the world contained, that nothing was left to him worth living for, and that shipwreck or any other form of sudden death was rather to be courted than shunned. The broken heart which he expected to carry to his grave was healed before he reached Suez. A young Irish widow was his physician, although he soon discovered that he must lay no exclusive claim to her services. Nevertheless his cure, if somewhat painful itself, proved complete, and henceforth Forrest loved more wisely, if not so well. He fought valiantly, too, and his interest quickened in the empire which in the humblest way he was assisting to consolidate. His first evening in London was wet. He possessed few relations, he had lost touch of his friends, and after dinner he sat down to a solitary cigar. The four years of absence seemed a gap which thought now bridged over. He remembered Clare, remembered their parting, always with a respect which almost approached reverence. She was his first love. He thought of his own emotions at that time with a sense of pity. He had been boyish, foolish, infatuated, but he had been pure and disinterested. He still regarded Clare Somers as a goddess, though he had ceased to worship at...