Beatrice

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24830

Title

Beatrice

Language

nl

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set against the moody backdrop of the Dog Rocks, this novel follows Beatrice Granger, a beautiful and spirited woman grappling with the passage of time since her mother's death. As she travels to London to witness a parliamentary debate featuring the brilliant but distant Geoffrey Bingham, Beatrice finds herself entangled in a web of social expectations, political intrigue, and a tragic fire that claims the life of Geoffrey's beloved sister, Lady Honoria. A tale of romance, ambition, and the harsh...

Summary up to 500 words

H. Rider Haggard's *Beatrice* opens on a misty autumn afternoon at the Dog Rocks, where Beatrice Granger, standing on her twenty-second birthday, reflects on the seven years since her mother's death. Possessing striking physical beauty and a resilient spirit, Beatrice feels the weight of unfulfilled potential, lamenting that she has achieved little despite her growth. Her journey leads her to the dangerous Belrots, where she encounters Geoffrey Bingham, a renowned barrister hunting gulls in the fog. Geoffrey is a man of sharp intellect and fiery rhetoric, preparing to speak in the House of Commons on the Irish question. Leaving her home unnoticed to attend the debate, Beatrice navigates the chaotic streets of London to reach Westminster. Despite lacking a ticket, she gains entry to the gallery through the kindness of a Member of Parliament. Inside, she watches Geoffrey deliver a masterful speech that captivates the entire chamber, solidifying his reputation as a rising political star. The narrative shifts to the social circle surrounding Geoffrey, introducing his sister Lady Honoria and her brother Lord Garsington. Their evening at a ball ends in tragedy when a candle ignites Honoria's dress, leading to her death by fire. Geoffrey is left devastated, while Beatrice, who had hoped to find a connection with him, is forced to confront the cruel indifference of fate. The novel explores themes of class, the fleeting nature of life, and the destructive power of ambition. It concludes with a reflection on the blind forces that drive human destiny, suggesting that humanity is like arrows shot from darkness into darkness, guided by unseen powers beyond our control. Through Beatrice's self-sacrifice and Geoffrey's eventual rise, the story illustrates how personal desires and societal structures often lead to unintended and tragic consequences.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24830.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg24830.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-04 10:54 UTC

Categories

• Fiction