The Prince, whose views were extended to a wider space, could not
speedily quiet his emotions. He had been before terrified at the
length of life which nature promised him, because he considered
that in a long time much must be endured: he now rejoiced in his
youth, because in many years much might be done. The first beam of
hope that had been ever darted into his mind rekindled youth in his
cheeks, and doubled the lustre of his eyes. He was fired with the
desire of doing something, though he knew not yet, with
distinctness, either end or means. He was now no longer gloomy and
unsocial; but considering himself as master of a secret stock of
happiness, which he could only enjoy by concealing it, he affected
to be busy in all the schemes of diversion, and endeavoured to make
others pleased with the state of which he himself was weary. But
pleasures can never be so multiplied or continued as not to leave
much of life unemployed; there were many hours, both of the night
and day, which he could spend without suspicion in solitary
thought. The load of life was much lightened; he went eagerly into
the assemblies, because he supposed the frequency of his presence
necessary to the success of his purposes; he retired gladly to
privacy, because he had now a subject of thought.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25