The Short Works of George Meredith

n enigma,' General Ople

ested the resources of his income by all sorts of instigation to expenditure, which his gallantry could not withstand; she encouraged him to talk of his deeds in arms; she was friendly, almost affectionate, and most bountiful in the

sked him, 'Are you sure, General,

be tempted to misapprehend her ladyship's... I say one might commit o

brown,' or darkly blush

u know of nothing that would i

e General

I speak i

lly can'

hat coul

d. 'No, no, I am an old man. I was

ot, Lady Camper had, by an excess of graciousness amounting to downright invitation; as thus, 'Will you persist in withholding your confidence from me, General?' She added, 'I am

ak with Lady Camper in the course of the evening, or next morning. Elizabeth wai

ad an agreeable

t refuse hi

t. And where

valley; and th

ladys

es

admires you

papa, if she sh

Lady Camper's manner to me was... if I were a fool... I say, this morning I b

beth. 'You take to her, my dear?' the General inqu

zabeth replied,

agitated

ou are sure

are tre

I wish yo

s. He kissed her to thank her. He turned back to her to kiss her again.

pirit, like a good commander who has to pass a fordable river in the enemy's presence; a dash, a splash, a rattling volley or two, and you are over, established on the opposite bank. But you must be positive of victory, otherwise, with the river behind you, your new position is likely to be ticklish. So the General entered Lady Campe

amper

roach you; you should not have left it to me. Things have now gone so far that I canno

I have her distinct assurance that i

have a certain excuse for selfishness; we have not. I am

, I was saying if I am not mistaken, I... and he is, or has the making of an e

his own way in th

if my position is not, after a consi

ked early marriages. I was married in my teens be

marriages cannot apply to... indeed, madam, vigour, they say... though youth, of course... yet young people, as you observe... and I have, though perhaps m

ing bewilderment. 'I am speaking o

, my dear lady. He should be, I say

General, so sh

n! Lady Camper, I scarcely know where I am. She would .... I shall not like to lose h

said Lady Camper. 'She has every quality.

aimed, 'we shall not come upon

en thousan

should have aimed at. I prefer quiet and retirement. Personally, I mean. That is my personal taste. But if the lady... I say if it should happen that the lady ... and indeed I am not one to press a suit: but if she who distinguishes and honours me should ch

is asked in marriage, to settle ten

r's extreme solicitude on behalf of his daughter's provision; but he would have desired a postponeme

s generosity is very marked

. I don't pretend to be; and certainly I don't want the young people to think me so. I want to be

ly, to show her that he prized her, and

and if you take me as a soldier, I am, as, I have ever been in the service, I was saying I am Wilson Ople, of the grade of General, to be relied on for executing orders; and, madam, you are Lady Camper, and yo

er left h

range, unless I am singul

guessed that he might be

, blown up his bridges; ret

rsuit, and very deferentially, with a courteous vehemence, he entreated first he

ring was fine. If his clipped white silken hair spoke of age, his f

im to cease. She dreaded to he

se, in a sense, we are both free to do as we like. Perhaps I may be of some aid to you. My preference is for absolute independence

d him with a positive re-awakening of masculine passion to gain this fortress. He said

u of a moment of happiness. Bring go

, 'I have your ladyship's

ed him his youth. He told Elizabeth that night; he really must begin to think of marrying her to some worthy young fellow. 'Though,' said he, with

forbore to relate to his inquisitive dau