title: The Reflections and Confessions of a Serial Lover: Prose and Poetry
author: Peta Henry
description: Peta Henry is a Caribbean teacher and writer who currently lives in New York. This is her first published book in a series of poetic reflections, confessions, and novels to come.
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  ![cover](resources/_cover_.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  # The Ruling Passion
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Henry van Dyke
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Munsey's.
  
  
  http://www.munseys.com
  
  A WRITER'S REQUEST OF HIS MASTER
  
  
  PREFACE
  
  
  
  
  
  A LOVER OF MUSIC
  
  
    
  I
  
  
    
  II
  
  
    
  III
  
  
    
  IV
  
  
  THE REWARD OF VIRTUE
  
  
    
  I
  
  
    
  II
  
  
    
  III
  
  
    
  IV
  
  
  A BRAVE HEART
  
  
    
  I
  
  
    
  II
  
  
    
  III
  
  
  THE GENTLE LIFE
  
  
  A FRIEND OF JUSTICE
  
  
    
  I
  
  
    
  II
  
  
    
  III
  
  
  THE WHITE BLOT
  
  
    
  I
  
  
    
  II
  
  
    
  III
  
  
  A YEAR OF NOBILITY
  
  
    
  I. ENTER THE MARQUIS
  
  
    
  II. AN ALLIANCE OF RIVALS
  
  
    
  III. A HAPPY ENDING WHICH IS ALSO A BEGINNING
  
  
  THE KEEPER OF THE LIGHT
  
  
    
  I
  
  
    
  II
  
  
    
  III
  
  
    
  IV
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### A WRITER'S REQUEST OF HIS MASTER
  
  
  
  
  
    
  Let me never tag a moral to a story, nor tell a story without a
  
  
  meaning. Make me respect my material so much that I dare not slight
  
  
  my work. Help me to deal very honestly with words and with people
  
  
  because they are both alive. Show me that as in a river, so in a
  
  
  writing, clearness i