Felicia Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt: ...moralist, an ardent seeker after religious truth--was this the man to forget one of 'the first obligations of social life? He was no longer young; in the eyes of most women he was prematurely old, a restless dreamer, and nothing more. A few of his own sex declared those worn, pale features handsome still, and he was not without personal admirers of the other. Among his hearers he had. numbered a few thoughtful women always; but the brilliant leaders of fashion and society had pronounced him wearisome, alike in the pulpit and in the drawing-room. He had been sought after, feted, flattered, but why? Not because he had passed through a fiery trial, you may be sure; not because he had given up reputation, friends, and fortune, everything, for the truth's sake; not because he was himself, Humphrey Strickland, who would have suffered martyrdom rather than live the life he knew must be an acted lie, aver the things his heart refused to believe; not because he had so suffered, and was capable of suffering much more, rather than betray the intellect that God had given him. No, the causes of this sudden favour and popularity must be sought in a different direction. Whilst Strickland had been conspicuous only for his courage, his sacrifice, and his misfortunes, the world was content to leave him in obscurity; it was not, as we have seen, till his name and his deeds were in men's mouths that doors were flung open to him, banquets spread for him, friends, fortunes, and the smiles of the great showered upon him. It would perhaps have been well for him had he never launched his shattered bark upon the swift and devouring stream of society at all; but the instincts and ' habits of culture and friendship were too strong for him....