Painted Veils

Painted Veils

This Parable, with its notations and evocations of naked nerves and soul-states, is inscribed in all gratitude to the charming morganatic ladies, les belles impures, who make pleasanter this vale of tears for virile men. What shall it profit a woman if she saves her soul, but loseth love? ... "Down from the waist they are Centaurs, Though women all above: But to the girdle do the gods inherit, Beneath is all the fiend's; There's hell, there's darkness, there's the sulphurous pit, Burning, scalding, stench, consumption; fie, fie, fie!..." "King Lear." Act IV, scene VI Until the day of her death Easter never forgot that first night in New York. It was the initial twist of her ship's wheel, and the commonplace happenings which followed her entrance into the Maison Felic were to give force and direction to her entire life. The journey from Washington had been stupid. An early November afternoon sky heavy with threatening snow, her nerves tense with expectation, made the girl feel that the big city once reached her troubles would be over; but at Jersey City they began. After a few blunders she reached the 23rd Street ferry and noted the snow falling in the foggy river. Her baggage had been checked to the hotel and she had nothing to do but climb into a hansom and direct the driver to west 25th Street. She made a tentative bargain with the man. Easter was prudent because she had little money. The hotelit was in reality two old-fashioned houses with high steps and brown stone faades, the conventional residence of the early eightiesdid not impress her; besides, it was snowing so thickly that she could hardly distinguish anything, and when she was admitted into the hall the light dazzled her eyes. She felt lonely, timid, uncomfortable. A tall, portly lady saluted her. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 47141
Author: Huneker, James
Release Date: Oct 18, 2014
Format: eBook
Language: English