Book: White Nights
Quotes of Book: White Nights
Somehow I cannot helpbeing reminded of a frail, consumptive girl, at whom one sometimes lookswith compassion, sometimes with sympathetic love, whom sometimes onesimply does not notice; though suddenly in one instant she becomes, asthough by chance, inexplicably lovely and exquisite, and, impressed andintoxicated, one cannot help asking oneself what power made those sad,pensive eyes flash with such fire? What summoned the blood to thosepale, wan cheeks? What bathed with passion those soft features? What setthat bosom heaving? What so suddenly called strength, life and beautyinto the poor girl's face, making it gleam with such a smile, kindlewith such bright, sparkling laughter? You look round, you seek for someone, you conjecture.... But the moment passes, and next day you meet,maybe, the same pensive and preoccupied look as before, the same paleface, the same meek and timid movements, and even signs of remorse,traces of a mortal anguish and regret for the fleeting distraction....And you grieve that the momentary beauty has faded so soon never toreturn, that it flashed upon you so treacherously, so vainly, grievebecause you had not even time to love her.... book-quote
