Thomas Hardy

The Well-Beloved Thomas Hardy

Book Excerpt: ...d out and covenanted, or were till lately, in the parish church, in the face of the congregation, such being the ancient custom of the Isle. As for the story itself, it may be worth while to remark that, differing from all or most others of the series in that the interest aimed at is of an ideal or subjective nature, and frankly imaginative, verisimilitude in the sequence of events has been subordinated to the said aim. The first publication of this tale in an independent form was in 1897; but it had appeared in the periodical press in 1892, under the title of 'The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved.' A few chapters of that experimental issue were rewritten for the present and final form of the narrative. T. H. August 1912. CONTENTSPART FIRST -- A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY. I. A SUPPOSITITIOUS PRESENTMENT OF HER II. THE INCARNATION IS ASSUMED TO BE TRUE III. THE APPOINTMENT IV. A LONELY PEDESTRIAN V. A CHARGE VI. ON THE BRINK VII. HER EARLIER INCARNATIONS VIII. 'TOO LIKE THE...