Bokinga (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. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... thicker and yet more dense; a few moments more and its light will be hidden from our view by their portentous gloom: --such will be my fate. Lady Christina said---but this morning, half soliloquizing--she thought I heard her not, 'My own proud, earnest Mildred--black will be the clouds that will overshadow your hopes, so soon as you become entangled in the meshes of the world.' These words were but an echo of a dread that has often crept over me, even in the wildest of my 'mad soarings' as you call them. I am not born for happiness in this world and yet an insatiable soul-thirst renders me too feverish and restless to submit meekly without a struggle to my doom. But enough--tell me sweet Ilda of your uncle Laurence." "Oh he comes to-day, and I am so glad; a few hours' conversation with him would control your mental wanderings. He is so wise, so good, so kind. I am quite certain you will like him Princesse." "He is a clergyman. Does he resemble Mr. Anselm V "No, Mildred, no. Mr. Anselm is not an infallible type of the order. Uncle Laurence is a very different being." "Really I am impatient to see this wonderful uncle, whose name whenever it is mentioned elicits such warm eulogy from my quiet little Ilda. You must have spent your absence from Fernwood to some purpose last year, if you cultivated so valuable an acquaintance." "Never mind, you will not laugh when you see Uncle Laurence." "How old is he, Ilda V "About thirty, and terribly handsome." "What a pity, so perfect a man should be your uncle; Shaftoe would have no chance were it otherwise." Ilda's face was suffused with blushes, and Mildred's searching glance and mocking laugh, added not a little to her confusion....