Monday, February 14, 2011

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part VI


Happy Valentine's Day!
The following is my sixth and final installment in the post series of Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads. There are countless of books and passages I could have quoted, the six I chose were just particular favorites of mine. Enjoy!

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Really and truly there are so many quotable passages within Pride and Prejudice that I almost had a difficult time choosing just one, but in the end I selected the following snippet from the fifty-eighth chapter because it is one of my all-time favorites. It is point in the story where two of literature's greatest lovers finally has a meeting of the hearts and minds. I just love it!

If you are interested in the entire scene then I say tarry no longer, go forth and get yourself a copy of this literary gem!

The Book:
Pride & Prejudice, Chpt 58
The Setting: 1812, Meryton in Hertfordshire, England
The Scene: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy take a walk
"If you will thank me,' he replied, 'let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you.'

Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, 'You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.'

Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately though not very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone so material a change since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. the happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before, and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable."

4 comments:

Tere Leming said...

I have loved each and every one of these quotes! Now I may have to go back and read all these books all over again. All of them make me smile (and sigh).

Nancy Piccione said...

Thank you for the wonderful P&P quote--and all of them.

On a slightly different topic, I am writing my monthly column and plan to use your blog's intriguing title as a starting point. Could you share with me if that is a quote from someone or your work? You can reach me over at my blog, or just leave a comment about it here--I've subscribed to the comments.

Thank you so much!

Sarah M. said...

Nancy,

I'm sorry to say it really isn't much of a story. The quote is listed as "anonymous". I wish I could claim ownership. :) I just stumbled upon it a couple years ago. I really liked it and decided to use it for my blog name and header. I don't know anything more about it than that. I definitely agree that reading is a respite for a person with a busy life. A chance to slip away and relax in some other place and time. Depending on the books it can leave you feeling refreshed and rested.

Nancy Piccione said...

A belated thank you, here. My internet search also turned up nothing before I asked you, but I wanted to make sure and I do love the phrase, so thanks for your explanation. It's a great blog title for a great blog.