north and south by elizabeth cleghorn gaskell

They had grown up together from childhood, and all along Edith had been remarked upon by every one, except Margaret, for her prettiness but Margaret had never thought about it until the last few days, when the prospect of soon losing her companion seemed to give force to every sweet quality and charm which Edith possessed. Margaret was struck afresh by her cousin s beauty. If Titania had ever been dressed in white muslin and blue ribbons, and had fallen asleep on a crimson damask sofa in a back drawing-room, Edith might have been taken for her. She lay curled up on the sofa in the back drawing-room in Harley Street, looking very lovely in her white muslin and blue ribbons. ‘Beseking hym lowly, of mercy and pite, Of its rude makyng to have compassion.’īut, as Margaret half suspected, Edith had fallen asleep. With this brief explanation, the tale is commended to the kindness of the reader In some degree to remedy this obvious defect, various short passages have been inserted, and several new chapters added. Although these conditions were made as light as they well could be, the author found it impossible to develope the story in the manner originally intended, and, more especially, was compelled to hurry on events with an improbable rapidity towards the close. On its appearance in ‘Household Words,’ this tale was obliged to conform to the conditions imposed by the requirements of a weekly publication, and likewise to confine itself within certain advertised limits, in order that faith might be kept with the public. This etext was produced by Charles Aldarondo.

North and south by elizabeth cleghorn gaskell