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Library / Literature & Fiction

Evan Harrington — Volume 6

by George Meredith

Pages
about 80
Category
Literature & Fiction
Language
English
Reading time
88 min at 250 wpm
Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 49 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

XXXII. IN WHICH EVAN'S LIGHT BEGINS TO TWINKLE AGAIN XXXIII. THE HERO TAKES HIS RANK IN THE ORCHESTRA XXXIV. A PAGAN SACRIFICE XXXV. ROSE WOUNDED XXXVI. BEFORE BREAKFAST XXXVII. THE RETREAT FROM BECKLEY XXXVIII. IN WHICH WE HAVE TO SEE IN THE DARK

The dowagers were now firmly planted on Olympus. Along the grass lay the warm strong colours of the evening sun, reddening the pine-stems and yellowing the idle aspen-leaves. For a moment it had hung in doubt whether the pic-nic could survive the two rude shocks it had received. Happily the youthful element was large, and when the band, refreshed by chicken and sherry, threw off half-a-dozen bars of one of those irresistible waltzes that first catch the ear, and then curl round the heart, till on a sudden they invade and will have the legs, a rush up Parnassus was seen, and there were shouts and laughter and commotion, as over other great fields of battle the corn will wave gaily and mark the reestablishment of nature's reign.

How fair the sight! Approach the twirling couples. They talk as they whirl. 'Fancy the run-away tailor!' is the male's remark, and he expects to be admired for it, and is.

'That make-up Countess--his sister, you know--didn't you see her? she turned green,' says Creation's second effort, almost occupying the place of a rib.

They laugh and flatter one another. The power to give and take flattery to any amount is the rare treasure of youth.

Undoubtedly they are a poetical picture; but some poetical pictures talk dreary prose; so we will retire.

Now, while the dancers carried on their business, and distance lent them enchantment, Rose stood by Juliana, near an alder which hid them from the rest.

'I don't accuse you,' she was saying; 'but who could have done this but you? Ah, Juley! you will never get what you want if you plot for it. I thought once you cared for Evan.

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