George Sand

“ But, without understandmg the charm which drew him to Consuelo, having as yet scarcely any feeling for the beautiful, and not knowing whether she was ugly or pretty, child enough to amuse himself with her at sports beneath his age, yet man enough to respect her fourteen years, he led with her in public, on the streets and canals of Venice, a life as happy, as pure, and as secluded as that of Paul and Virginia under the palms of the desert. ”

“ Until that time he had been commonly taught and listened to by common hearers, but he now realized for the first time in his life that he was not a commonplace man, and supported by a consciousness of triumph and the desire for more of it, he sing with remarkable spirit, originality, and energy. ”

“ Although they enjoyed a liberty more absolute and more dangerous, with no families, no tender and watchful! mothers to train ihem in virtue, no faithful servant to seek them at nightfall and bring them back to the fold, no dog, even, to warn them of danger, their life was wholly innocent. ”

“ The prima donna, surprised by so much audacity, looked closely at the handsome face at which she had scarcely deigned to glance before ; for what vain and triumphant woman would condescend to look at a poor and obscure lad ? ”

“ Anzoleto may have thought it a jest, although Consuelo took it quite seriously. It is certain that his young heart felt already those opposing sentiments and complicated emotions which disturb the lives of men who have become blasé. ”

“ They forgave him a dozen faults for a single innovation, a dozen rebellions agiinst method for t sin Je flash of originality, — so true IS It that in the matter of art the least spark of genius or the slightest aspiration towards new con ptsts exercises m irt fast imtion than all the resources of seance within the limits of our knowledge. ”