Diana of the Crossways — Volume 3 by George Meredith
page 50 of 118 (42%)
page 50 of 118 (42%)
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impressions. The Irish--for I have them in my heart, though I have not
been among them for long at a time--must love you to serve you, and will hate you if you have done them injury and they have not wiped it out-- they with a treble revenge, or you with cordial benefits. I have told him so again and again: ventured to suggest measures.' 'He listens to you, Tony?' 'He says I have brains. It ends in a compliment.' 'You have inspired Mr. Redworth.' 'If I have, I have lived for some good.' Altogether her Tony's conversation proved to Emma that her perusal of the model of THE YOUNG MINISTER OF STATE was an artist's, free, open, and not discoloured by the personal tincture. Her heart plainly was free and undisturbed. She had the same girl's love of her walks where wildflowers grew; if possible, a keener pleasure. She hummed of her happiness in being at Copsley, singing her Planxty Kelly and The Puritani by turns. She stood on land: she was not on the seas. Emma thought so with good reason. She stood on land, it was true, but she stood on a cliff of the land, the seas below and about her; and she was enabled to hoodwink her friend because the assured sensation of her firm footing deceived her own soul, even while it took short flights to the troubled waters. Of her firm footing she was exultingly proud. She stood high, close to danger, without giddiness. If at intervals her soul flew out like lightning from the rift (a mere shot of involuntary fancy, it seemed to her), |
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