On this page
-
Text (1)
-
258 SUCCESS A£tt> FAILURE.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
«9» Ipart Iii. Chapter V. I>Tjbing These...
He told her , as kindly and carefully as he could , the doctor ' s opinion . Always very pale , she could scarcely turn paler .
" Who is to sit up with him ? " she asked . "I will remain till midnight , and then his servant will take my
place . There is nothing * to be done . He has taken a sedative , I depended believe , and upon is lik his ely b to eing sleep 1 kept . The free medical from man all emotion said that . _everything You had
better not go in . " " No" she said"I will not . I understand that in this case it is
,, my duty not to go to him , and I submit . " She bowed and went up stairs . There was no moisture in her eyesor apprehension in her
, countenance . Duty was the only tie that she acknowledged between herself and her husband , the heart was irrevocably alienated .
Wyndham returned to the library . Arthur seemed dozing . He sat down by the table , and felt an inexpressible sadness as he thought
of his friend . Could it be possible that it might soon be all over , that Arthur Powysthe fluent debaterthe famous author , the
, , successful politician , the triumphant minister , should thus , having gained the summit of his wishes , die , die alone and uncared for .
Even he himself , though for the sake of the past he was here to minister to him and to soothe him , could not be said to be a friend
in the present and actual state of his feelings towards him . As he sat , he could just catch a glimpse of Arthur ' s face , ghastly pale and
drawn as if by pain . On the table against which he leaned , his eye cauht siht of two or three sheets of hastily written notesminutes
of his g morning g ' s conversation with Arthur , which the latter , meant to utilise in a future speech . The contrast between the busy schemer
who had so lately been full of this world ' s aims , grasping at all to aid him in his ascent , and the white face and the motionless figure
of the sleeper , who might in a moment be called upon to leave all his hard won triumphs and toiled-for possessions , _^ and , naked and
bare , render up his account to God , nearly overcame him . Suddenly Arthur stirred and called him . " Still here ? O !
Wyndham , you are the best of good fellows—how this makes me think of old times , you sitting up with me till Dora could leave her
mother and come . " He sighed . " Has Augusta come home ?" " Yesshe would not disturb you after what the doctor said . "
Arthur , was silent , but deeper shadows passed over his face , and he sighed again , a heavy dreary sigh .
" Do you know , Wyndham , " he said , as he looked wistfully at his friend" I feel I have been cursed by success . Everything I have
desired I , have reached ; I hold in my grasp all for which I have striven , yet I am miserable , and there must be failure where
apparent success is combined with real suffering . Gifts which ensure the felicity of other men , turn to dust and ashes in my grasp . Tell
me from your heart , Wyndham ., how is it with you ?" " Well , " said Wyndham , solemnly ; " the more I advance on the
journey of life , the more the clouds roll back and show me that I am
258 Success A£Tt> Failure.
258 SUCCESS A _£ tt > FAILURE .
-
-
Citation
-
English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), June 1, 1859, page 258, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01061859/page/42/
-