Marguerite Verne
CHAPTER I. NEW YEAR'S EVE. "Every one for his own. The night is starry and cold, my friend, And the New Year blithe and bold, my friend Comes up to take his own."--_Tennyson_. New Year's Eve in the fair city of St. John, that queenly little city which sits upon her rocky throne overlooking the broad expanse of bay at her feet. Reader, we do not wish to weary you with the known, but love for our own dear New Brunswick is surely sufficient apology. It is one of the feelings of human nature to be possessed with a desire to worship the great and titled, to become enamoured with those appendages, which are the symbols of social distinction. Let us consider how we, as a people, are privileged. Is there any
ALLMERS. Well, then what is it?
RITA. [Half-evasively.] You have so often talked to Asta of human
responsibility--
ALLMERS. Of the book that you hated.
RITA. I hate that book still. But I used to sit and listen to what
you told her. And now I will try to continue it--in my own way.
ALLMERS. [Shaking his head.] It is not for the sake of that
unfinished book--
RITA. No, I have another reason as well.
ALLMERS. What is that?
RITA. [Softly, with a melancholy smile.] I want to make my peace
with the great, open eyes, you see.
ALLMERS. [Struck, fixing his eyes upon her.] Perhaps, I could join
you in that? And help you, Rita?
RITA. Would you?
ALLMERS. Yes--if I were only sure I could.
CHAPTER I. NEW YEAR'S EVE. "Every one for his own. The night is starry and cold, my friend, And the New Year blithe and bold, my friend Comes up to take his own."--_Tennyson_. New Year's Eve in the fair city of St. John, that queenly little city which sits upon her rocky throne overlooking the broad expanse of bay at her feet. Reader, we do not wish to weary you with the known, but love for our own dear New Brunswick is surely sufficient apology. It is one of the feelings of human nature to be possessed with a desire to worship the great and titled, to become enamoured with those appendages, which are the symbols of social distinction. Let us consider how we, as a people, are privileged. Is there any