"I refused, saying, that, as I was resolved he should in every point be the aggressor, he should fire first; he did, and missed me, and on my soul I believe designedly; for by the changes in his countenance, I could perceive that grief, and not anger, was then the predominant passion in his mind."
— Lennox, née Ramsay, (Barbara) Charlotte (1730/1?-1804)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Dodsley and T. Davies
Date
1769
Metaphor
"I refused, saying, that, as I was resolved he should in every point be the aggressor, he should fire first; he did, and missed me, and on my soul I believe designedly; for by the changes in his countenance, I could perceive that grief, and not anger, was then the predominant passion in his mind."
Metaphor in Context
MISS COURTENEY
But have you met?
COURTENEY
Yes, I met him; I thought I could not in honour avoid it.
MISS COURTENEY
Oh! Heavens--
COURTENEY
Be calm, and hear the event; he brought pistols, and insisted upon my taking one; he then bid me fire: I refused, saying, that, as I was resolved he should in every point be the aggressor, he should fire first; he did, and missed me, and on my soul I believe designedly; for by the changes in his countenance, I could perceive that grief, and not anger, was then the predominant passion in his mind--my turn was next; I fired my pistol in the air, then calmly told him, that his father was here, and that I would explain myself in his presence; he spoke not a word, but bowed and left me, and we took different paths to the house--but tell me, dear Harriet, does Miss Autumn seem to know her mother's favourable intentions? has she acknowledged any thing to you?
MISS COURTENEY.
I have seen her but for a few moments since you left me, and neither of us was then in a humour to enter upon a discourse of that kind; but now that she knows who you are, she will certainly have no reserves to me.--Adieu! I am going to her.
(V.i)
But have you met?
COURTENEY
Yes, I met him; I thought I could not in honour avoid it.
MISS COURTENEY
Oh! Heavens--
COURTENEY
Be calm, and hear the event; he brought pistols, and insisted upon my taking one; he then bid me fire: I refused, saying, that, as I was resolved he should in every point be the aggressor, he should fire first; he did, and missed me, and on my soul I believe designedly; for by the changes in his countenance, I could perceive that grief, and not anger, was then the predominant passion in his mind--my turn was next; I fired my pistol in the air, then calmly told him, that his father was here, and that I would explain myself in his presence; he spoke not a word, but bowed and left me, and we took different paths to the house--but tell me, dear Harriet, does Miss Autumn seem to know her mother's favourable intentions? has she acknowledged any thing to you?
MISS COURTENEY.
I have seen her but for a few moments since you left me, and neither of us was then in a humour to enter upon a discourse of that kind; but now that she knows who you are, she will certainly have no reserves to me.--Adieu! I am going to her.
(V.i)
Provenance
Searching "predominant passion" in HDIS
Citation
First performed February 18, 1769. 3 entries in ESTC (1769).
The Sister: A Comedy. (London: Printed for J. Dodsley and T. Davies, 1769). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
The Sister: A Comedy. (London: Printed for J. Dodsley and T. Davies, 1769). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Theme
Ruling Passion; Outer a Sign of the Inner
Date of Entry
06/07/2004
