At love's cost
by Charles Garvice (1850–1920)
- Free to read
- 10 hours to read
- 43 chapters
- Reading level: 7th grade
"At Love's Cost" by Charles Garvice is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story introduces us to Stafford Orme, a young man embarking on an unplanned journey through the wilderness, accompanied by his cynical friend Edmund Howard. Throughout their first encounter, the pair candidly express their emotions and expectations, only for their path to lead them to unforeseen beauty and potential romance. The beginning of the novel sets the tone for a journey filled with introspection and character dynamics. Stafford, initially reluctant to partake in the trip, rapidly transforms as he encounters the breathtaking landscapes and an unexpected connection with Ida Heron, a striking young woman who exhibits grace and independence. As they share moments that hint at deeper themes of social class, familial duty, and the struggles of the Heron family, the narrative intertwines Stafford's burgeoning infatuation with Ida and his ambiguous lineage. This blend of rich character interactions and atmospheric setting paints a vivid picture and establishes a romantic premise that draws the reader in.
Read the opening
Chapter 1
"Until this moment I have never fully realised how great an ass a man can be. When I think that this morning I scurried through what might have been a decent breakfast, left my comfortable diggings, and was cooped up in a train for seven hours, that I am now driving in a pelting rain through, so far as I can see for the mist, what appears to be a howling wilderness, I ask myself if I am still in possession of my senses. I ask myself why I should commit such lurid folly. Last night I was sitting over the fire with a book—for it was cold, though not so cold as this," the speaker shivered and dragged the collar of his overcoat still higher—"at peace with all the world, with Omar purring placidly by my side, and my soul wrapped in that serenity which belongs to a man who has long since rid himself of that inconvenient appendage—a conscience, and has hit upon the right brand of cigarettes, and now—"
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About this edition
This free edition of At love's cost by Charles Garvice comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #10379, released 2003-12-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Romance, Novels.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
