"Though slow to entertain thoughts of love, as soon as he perceives the partiality of his ward, it enters his breast like a torrent when the flood-gates are opened."
— Barbauld, Anna Letitia [née Aikin] (1743-1825)
Work Title
Date
1810, 1820
Metaphor
"Though slow to entertain thoughts of love, as soon as he perceives the partiality of his ward, it enters his breast like a torrent when the flood-gates are opened."
Metaphor in Context
Dorriforth is introduced as a Roman priest of a lofty mind, generous, and endued with strong sensibilities, but having in his disposition much of sternness and inflexibility. His being in priest's orders presents an apparently insurmountable obstacle to his marriage; but it is got over, without violating probability, by his becoming heir to a title and estate, and on that account receiving a dispensation from his vows. Though slow to entertain thoughts of love, as soon as he perceives the partiality of his ward, it enters his breast like a torrent when the flood-gates are opened. The perplexities in which he is involved by Miss Milner's gay unthinking conduct bring them to the very brink of separating for ever; and very few scenes in any novel have a finer effect than the intended parting of the lovers, and their sudden, immediate, unexpected marriage.
(i-ii)
(i-ii)
Categories
Provenance
Reading in Google Books
Citation
Preface from A Simple Story, new edition in Barbauld's The British Novelists, vol. 28 (London: Printed for F. C. and J. Rivington, 1820). <Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
09/15/2012
