Charlemont; Or, the Pride of the Village. a Tale of Kentucky by William Gilmore Simms
page 149 of 518 (28%)
page 149 of 518 (28%)
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knew not well what he had said, so he fancied he had said everything
precisely as the passionate thought had suggested it in his own mind. Already he began to blame himself--to feel that he had done wrong--that there had been nothing in the conduct or manner of Stevens, however unpleasant, to justify his own violence; and that the true secret of his anger was to be found in that instinctive hostility which he had felt for his rival from the first. The more he mused, the more he became humbled by his thoughts; and when he recollected the avowed profession of Stevens his shame increased. He felt how shocking it was to intimate to a sworn non-combatant the idea of a personal conflict. To what point of self-abasement his thoughts would have carried him, may only be conjectured; he might have hurried forward to overtake his antagonist with the distinct purpose of making the most ample apology; nay, more, such was the distinct thought which was now pressing upon his mind, when he was saved from this humiliation by perceiving that Stevens had already reached, and was about to enter the dwelling of Margaret Cooper. With this sight, every thought and feeling gave place to that of baffled love, and disappointed affection. With a bitter groan he turned up the gorge, and soon shut himself from sight of the now hateful habitation. CHAPTER XII. THE MASTER AND HIS PUPILS. |
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