"My father did not then perceive this; it was not till he waited on Montauban, that the force of it struck his mind."
— Mackenzie, Henry (1745-1831)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
W. Strahan, T. Cadell, W. Creech
Date
1777
Metaphor
"My father did not then perceive this; it was not till he waited on Montauban, that the force of it struck his mind."
Metaphor in Context
The ready zeal of my faithful Lisette has, I understand, saved me a recital of the distress, in which my father found himself involved, from the consequences of that law-suit we have so often lamented. I could only share it with him; but a more effectual friend stepped forth in the count de Montauban. His generosity relieved my father, and gave him back to freedom and your Julia.
The manner of his doing this, was such as the delicacy of a mind, jealous of its own honour, would prompt in the cause of another's. I thought I saw a circumstance, previous to the count's performing it, which added to that delicacy. My father did not then perceive this; it was not till he waited on Montauban, that the force of it struck his mind.
When he returned home, I saw some remains of that pride, which formerly rankled under the receipt of favours it was unable to return. "My Julia, (said he) your father is unhappy, every way unhappy; but it is fit I should be humble --Pierre de Roubigné must learn humility!" He uttered these words in a tone that frightened me; I could not speak. He saw me confused, I believe, and, putting on a milder aspect, took my hand and kissed it. --"Heaven knows, that, for myself, I rate not life or liberty at much;--but, when I thought what my child must suffer--I alone am left to protect her--and I am old and weak, and must ask for that assistance which I am unable to repay." "The generous, sir, (said I) know from their own hearts what yours can feel: all beyond is accident alone."
(I, L19, pp. 147-50)
The manner of his doing this, was such as the delicacy of a mind, jealous of its own honour, would prompt in the cause of another's. I thought I saw a circumstance, previous to the count's performing it, which added to that delicacy. My father did not then perceive this; it was not till he waited on Montauban, that the force of it struck his mind.
When he returned home, I saw some remains of that pride, which formerly rankled under the receipt of favours it was unable to return. "My Julia, (said he) your father is unhappy, every way unhappy; but it is fit I should be humble --Pierre de Roubigné must learn humility!" He uttered these words in a tone that frightened me; I could not speak. He saw me confused, I believe, and, putting on a milder aspect, took my hand and kissed it. --"Heaven knows, that, for myself, I rate not life or liberty at much;--but, when I thought what my child must suffer--I alone am left to protect her--and I am old and weak, and must ask for that assistance which I am unable to repay." "The generous, sir, (said I) know from their own hearts what yours can feel: all beyond is accident alone."
(I, L19, pp. 147-50)
Categories
Provenance
HDIS (Prose)
Citation
11 entries in ESTC (1777, 1778, 1781, 1782, 1787, 1793, 1795, 1796).
Henry Mackenzie, Julia de Roubigné, A Tale in a Series of Letters. Published by The Author of The Man of Feeling, and The Man of The World, 2 vols. (London: W. Strahan, T. Cadell, W. Creech, 1777). <Link to ECCO>
Henry Mackenzie, Julia de Roubigné, A Tale in a Series of Letters. Published by The Author of The Man of Feeling, and The Man of The World, 2 vols. (London: W. Strahan, T. Cadell, W. Creech, 1777). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
09/14/2009
Date of Review
10/22/2003
