The Engagement (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1841. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIV. "Qual guerra di pensieri Agita l'alma mia La mia gloria--il mio amor: tutto ho presente; Tutto accordar vorrei: trovo per tutto Qualche scoglio a temer. Scelgo, mi pento; Poi d'essormi pentito Mi retorno a pentir. Mi stanco intanto Nel lungo dubitar; tal che dal male Il ben pul non distinguo. Aititi mi veggio Stretto dal tempo, e mi resolvo al peggio. Metastasio. "What's the noise?" Antont And Cleofatra. "Let's come in." Hamlet. It is time to revert to the feelings and the movements of Coningsby. Full of a strange anguish were those feelings. His friendships were turned into pain; the more they sought to soothe, the more bitter became his misery; and if they courted or compelled him to confide, the confidence ended in contrition. Had he not loved? Did he not love Eleanor with a higher degree of tenderness than brother's love-- only less tenderly than those love who grasp at-- who desire--who demand a return? Yet he had not dared to draw near, and be consoled and counselled, when the blow of that morning came. He had not been able to raise his brow and say, "Your uncle is deceived -- we must undeceive him." He felt that he had--although designing it not--offered an offence to her dignity; and that it might have proved a wrong to her feelings. True, angel as she was, she had given back to him, soothed by her calm smile, the peace of his honour --their communications had had the charm of frankness once more. But to touch again upon that which brought a blush to his cheek--of past love-- as of the dead who were dear to us Those lips that were most eloquent in the passionate hour of life say nothing. With what a soft reverence did his heart pay her homage How he had longed, since that memorable night, to talk to her of the living love s...