Louisa May Alcott

Name: Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power — Chapter 7
Author: Louisa May Alcott

Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

Summary

“Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power — Chapter 7”, published in 1866, is a work by Louisa May Alcott. It explores elements such as Jean, John and Coventry.

Quotes from Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (Louisa May Alcott)

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ Coventry looked half bewildered, and his eye went from the girl's mysterious face to a dimly lighted window, behind whose curtains poor Lucia hid her aching heart, praying for him the tender prayers that loving women give to those whose sins are all forgiven for love's sake. His heart smote him, and a momentary feeling of repulsion came over him, as he looked at Jean. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ Could I be presumptuous enough to fancy you would reject young lovers for an old man like me?" asked Sir John, caressing her.
"You are not old, to me, but everything I love and honor!" interrupted Jean, with a touch of genuine remorse, as this generous, honorable gentleman gave her both heart and home, unconscious of deceit. "It is I who am presumptuous, to dare to love one so far above me. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ As he tried to soothe her, his words grew tender, his solicitude full of a more than paternal anxiety, and his kind heart overflowed with pity and affection for the weeping girl. As she grew calmer, he urged her to be frank, promising to help and counsel her, whatever the affliction or fault might be.
"Ah, you are too kind, too generous! How can I go away and leave my one friend?" sighed Jean, wiping the tears away and looking up at him with grateful eyes.
"Then you do care a little for the old man?" said Sir John with an eager look, an involuntary pressure of the hand he held. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ I know she hates me and I forgive her, knowing that I should hate any woman whom _you_ loved."
"Are you jealous, dear?"
"Of you, Gerald?" And the fine eyes glanced up at him, full of a brilliancy that looked like the light of love.
"You make a slave of me already. How do you do it? I never obeyed a woman before. Jean, I think you are a witch. Scotland is the home of weird, uncanny creatures, who take lovely shapes for the bedevilment of poor weak souls. Are you one of those fair deceivers?"
"You are complimentary," laughed the girl. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ Jean, tell me one thing before we part; I am free as air, now, and have a right to speak. Do you love me? Am I the happy man who has won your heart? I dare to think so, to believe that this telltale face of yours has betrayed you, and to hope that I have gained what poor Ned and wild Sydney have lost."
"Before I answer, tell me of your interview with Lucia. I have a right to know," said Jean.
Coventry hesitated, for pity and remorse were busy at his heart when he recalled poor Lucia's grief. Jean was bent on hearing the humiliation of her rival. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ Coventry has been weak enough to love me."
"What, Gerald?" cried Sir John, amazed.
"Yes; today he told me this, and left me to break with Lucia; so I ran to you to help me prevent him from disappointing his mother's hopes and plans."
Sir John had started up and paced down the room, but as Jean paused he turned toward her, saying, with an altered face, "Then you do not love him? Is it possible?"
"No, I do not love him," she answered promptly.
"Yet he is all that women usually find attractive. How is it that you have escaped, Jean?"
"I love someone else" was the scarcely audible reply. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ I am too tired. Let me go in and sleep. Tomorrow we will talk. It is damp and chilly, and my head aches with all this worry." Jean spoke wearily, yet with a touch of petulance, and Coventry, fancying that she was piqued at his not coming for her, hastened to explain with eager tenderness.
"My poor little Jean, you do need rest. We wear you out, among us, and you never complain. I should have come to bring you home, but Lucia detained me, and when I got away I saw my uncle had forestalled me. I shall be jealous of the old gentleman, if he is so devoted. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ Tomorrow, if we like. A special license permits people to marry when and where they please. My plan is better than yours. Listen, and tell me if it can be carried out. I will go to town tomorrow, get the license, invite my friend, the Reverend Paul Fairfax, to return with me, and tomorrow evening you come at your usual time, and, in the presence of my discreet old servants, make me the happiest man in England. How does this suit you, my little Lady Coventry? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (1866)

“ I ought not to accept this happiness. I am not worthy of it; and you will regret your kindness when the world blames you for giving a home to one so poor, and plain, and humble as I."
"Hush, my darling. ”

Louisa May Alcott

Summary

Quotes from Behind A Mask or, A Woman's Power… (Louisa May Alcott)

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