The Amazing Marriage — Volume 3 by George Meredith
page 79 of 105 (75%)
page 79 of 105 (75%)
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his unprecedented attachment to the pledge of his word, admitted an
understanding of its laughter at the burlesque edition of a noble lady in the person of the Whitechapel Countess. The world sat on him heavily. He recurred to Gower Woodseer's letter. The pictures and images in it were not the principal matter,--the impression had been deep. A plain transcription of the young mother's acts and words did more to portray her: the reader could supply reflections. Would her boy's father be very pleased to see him? she had asked. And she spoke of a fear that the father would try to take her boy from her. 'Never that--you have my word!' Fleetwood said; and he nodded consentingly over her next remark 'Not while I live, till he must go to school!' The stubborn wife would be the last of women to sit and weep as a rifled mother. A child of the Countess Carinthia (he phrased it) would not be deficient in will, nor would the youngster lack bravery. For his part, comparison rushing at him and searching him, he owned that he leaned on pride. To think that he did, became a theme for pride. The mother had the primitive virtues, the father the developed: he was the |
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