[The Adventures of Harry Richmond by George Meredith]@TWC D-Link bookThe Adventures of Harry Richmond CHAPTER XXVII 22/31
He had visited my grandfather's mine, and that of Miss Penrhys, and was astounded; had said of me that I wanted but a title to be as brilliant a parti as any in Europe. The margravine must have received orders from her brother to be civil to me; she sent me an imperious invitation from her villa, and for this fruit of my father's diplomacy I yielded him up my daintier feelings, my judgement into the bargain. Snows of early Spring were on the pinewood country I had traversed with Temple.
Ottilia greeted me in health and vivacity.
The margravine led me up to her in the very saloon where Temple, my father, and I had sat after the finale of the statue scene, saying-- 'Our sea-lieutenant.' 'It delights me to hear he has turned University student,' she said; and in English: 'You have made friends of your books ?' She was dressed in blue velvet to the throat; the hair was brushed from the temples and bound in a simple knot.
Her face and speech, fair and unconstrained, had neither shadow nor beam directed specially for me.
I replied, 'At least I have been taught to despise idleness.' 'My Professor tells me it is strange for any of your countrymen to love books.' 'We have some good scholars, princess.' 'You have your Bentley and Porson.
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