[The Death of the Lion by Henry James]@TWC D-Link bookThe Death of the Lion CHAPTER VII 9/12
"He hasn't any disfigurement ?" "Nothing to speak of!" "Do you mean that social engagements interfere with his occupations ?" "That but feebly expresses it." "So that he can't give himself up to his beautiful imagination ?" "He's beset, badgered, bothered--he's pulled to pieces on the pretext of being applauded.
People expect him to give them his time, his golden time, who wouldn't themselves give five shillings for one of his books." "Five? I'd give five thousand!" "Give your sympathy--give your forbearance.
Two-thirds of those who approach him only do it to advertise themselves." "Why it's too bad!" the girl exclaimed with the face of an angel.
"It's the first time I was ever called crude!" she laughed. I followed up my advantage.
"There's a lady with him now who's a terrible complication, and who yet hasn't read, I'm sure, ten pages he ever wrote." My visitor's wide eyes grew tenderer.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|