As for myself, my tears will
never cease to flow for her all the time I have to live. But is this
sufficient! Those who have known _her tenderness for me_, the
confidence she had bestowed upon me, will they not say to me--She is
no more, and yet thou livest.
"Eliza intended to quit her country, her relations, her friends, to
take up her residence along _with me_, and spend her days in
the midst of mine. What happiness had I not promised to myself? What
joy did I not expect, from seeing her sought after by men of genius,
and beloved by women of the nicest taste? I said to myself, Eliza is
young, and thou art near thy latter end. It is she _who will close
thine eyes_. Vain hope! Fatal reverse of all human probabilities! My
old age has been prolonged beyond the days of her youth. _There is now
no person in the world existing for me. Fate has condemned me to live,
and die alone._
"Eliza's mind was cultivated, but the effects of this art were never
perceived. It had done nothing more than embellish nature; it served
in her, only to make the charm more lasting. Every instant increased
the delight she inspired; every instant rendered her more interesting.
Such is the impression she had left in India; such is the impression
she made in Europe. Eliza, then, _was very beautiful_? No, she was
simply beautiful; but there was no beauty she did not eclipse, because
she was the only one that was like herself.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25