[The Amazing Marriage by George Meredith]@TWC D-Link bookThe Amazing Marriage CHAPTER IX 1/28
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CONCERNING THE BLACK GODDESS FORTUNE AND THE WORSHIP OF HER,. TOGETHER WITH AN INTRODUCTION OF SOME OF HER VOTARIES In those early days of Fortune's pregnant alternations of colour between the Red and the Black, exhibited publicly, as it were a petroleum spring of the ebony-fiery lake below, Black-Forest Baden was the sprightliest' of the ante-chambers of Hades.
Thither in the ripeness of the year trooped the devotees of the sable goddess to perform sacrifice; and annually among them the beautiful Livia, the Countess of Fleetwood; for nowhere else had she sensation of the perfect repose which is rocked to a slumber by gales. She was not of the creatures who are excited by an atmosphere of excitement; she took it as the nymph of the stream her native wave, and swam on the flood with expansive languor, happy to have the master passions about her; one or two of which her dainty hand caressed, fearless of a sting; the lady petted them as her swans.
It surprised her to a gentle contempt of men and women, that they should be ruffled either by love or play.
A withholding from the scene will naturally arouse disturbing wishes; but to be present lulls; for then we live, we are in our element.
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