Hyperaesthesia; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIX. The Headley party had come so late to the breakfast-table that morning, after being occupied in the fruitless search for the fugitives to nearly daylight, that most of the guests of the house had already left it. The gentlemen generally had taken the morning train for the city, and some of the ladies had returned to their own rooms; but quite a number remained in the parlors discussing the recent event with more or less languid excitement, as they idly assumed to be occupied with their work. The prevailing feeling among them was far more of indignation at the mother, whose culpable carelessness actually connived at her daughter's folly, than unmixed reprehension of the latter's disregard of all social restraints. "I do not entirely exonerate the girl, however," observed Mrs. Bradford thoughtfully. "She ought to have had enough natural delicacy to have been guarded against such bold actions, no matter how much the mother encouraged them," "But, after all, where are you to draw the line?" asked Mrs. Wayland, with some covert irritation. "It seems to me conduct is only relatively innocent; that it depends most upon each individual's own nature and motives how we are to judge their acts." "It is safest," replied Mrs. Bradford dryly, "to refrain from deeds which could ever lead to evil in others, even if we are sure of our own rectitude." "What fun would there be left in the world if such a rigid rule were adopted?" "The pursuit of fun is not exactly all we have to live for," interposed Mrs. Oldham kindly yet authoritatively. "You must forgive me for reminding you that all this evil might not have occurred had not the downward path been so convenient, so invitingly opened before them, by that very pursuit." "You certainly cannot say that because t...