To Have and To Hold by Mary Johnston is a historical romance novel published in 1900. Set in colonial Virginia in the late 17th century, the novel follows the story of Lady Jocelyn Leigh, a headstrong and independent Englishwoman who travels to the New World to marry a wealthy plantation owner, Ralph Percy. However, upon her arrival, Jocelyn discovers that her husband-to-be is not the man she expected him to be. Ralph is a cold and distant man who is more interested in his tobacco plantation than his new bride. As Jocelyn tries to adjust to her new life in Virginia, she finds herself drawn to a handsome and charismatic sea captain named Lionel Thorpe. Despite her growing feelings for Lionel, Jocelyn remains loyal to her husband and tries to make their marriage work. However, when Ralph is accused of murder, Jocelyn must choose between her duty to her husband and her love for Lionel. To Have and To Hold is a classic tale of love, betrayal, and adventure set against the backdrop of colonial America. Mary Johnston's vivid descriptions of Virginia's lush landscapes and the struggles of the early settlers bring the story to life, while her strong-willed and independent heroine challenges traditional gender roles and expectations. The novel was a bestseller in its time and continues to be a beloved classic of historical fiction.1900. Johnston, an American novelist, wrote books that combine romance with history. She is chiefly remembered for To Have and to Hold, a story of colonial Virginia, and its successor, Audrey. The book begins: The work of the day being over, I sat down upon my doorstep, pipe in hand, to rest awhile in the cool of the evening. Death is not more still than is this Virginian land in the hour when the sun has sunk away, and it is black beneath the trees, and the stars brighten slowly and softly, one by one. The birds that sing all day have hushed, and the horned owls, the monster frogs, and that strange ominous fowl (if fowl it be, and not, as some assert, a spirit damned) which we English call the whippoorwill, are yet silent. Later the wolf will howl and the panther scream, but now there is no sound. The winds are laid, and the restless leaves droop and are quiet. The low lap of the water among the reeds is like the breathing of one who sleeps in his watch beside the dead. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.