The Argosy — page 49: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

. Princess Eleanor. 39 Some progress in her esteem, and I cannot help thinking this natural, when I consider his firm character, his modesty, and his incomparable talent for music. He is just the sort of man who will lie at Eleanor’s feet all his life, happy if he only obtain a look from her soft blue eyes. I have much more to say, but as everything in this world must have an end, so must this letter at last be closed. Farewell, and do not forget Your friend WALTER. XVI. From Home. Dearest Amy,—How surprised you will be to recognise your friend’s handwriting, with the post-mark of Berlin! Yes, we are back again, and if I am to confess all, much to my delight. I cannot help being much happier at home, be it ever so beautiful in other countries. Snow and ice have their own charms, and I missed them dreadfully in Florence. Ernest’s business was over, and as he could not well give a written report of it, he was called back by telegraph. I am heartily glad to be rid of my two obtrusive admirers; only I fear they will not long shine by their absence,.for they had nothing on earth to do in Florence but sit in our rooms, and persuade us to walk and ride out with them. The artist has returned with us, but our journey home resembled the going as little as I resemble the Eleanor of those times. Yes, Amy, if you could suddenly come upon your gay friend of former days, I doubt if you would recognise her. I am wearied by contending feelings, and although I am not unhappy (I have no reason to be so), still I cannot enjoy one hour’s rest. On our journey home Ernest had a long conversation with me, in which he made me understand that it would be his earnest desire to see me accept Arsent. I gave him innumerable reasons for not doing so; but they can have been of very little weight, for Emest shook his head doubtfully when I had done. What can I say? Arsent has a good heart and high principles ; he has a wonderful talent for music ; his outward appearance is agreeable, and his love for me more than I deserve. I say all this to myself, and yet I always come to this conclusion: The man with whom I go to the altar must inspire me with something very different from what I feel for Arsent ! Tell me, Amy, where have I gained these romantic fancies?” There never were any temperaments of this sort in our family, and I have ~ surely not learnt them from you, who never admired anything in the world but Ernest’s noble mind and character. Amy, what I should like to know above all things is whether the Fornarina was thinking of Raphael while sitting for that beautiful picture. If such were the case, I should no longer have a doubt as to not marrying Arsent. To look like that and think of him would! be comicbooks.com . |