If a princess in the days of enchantment had seen a four-footed creature from among those which live in herds come to her once and again with a human gaze which rested upon her with choice and beseeching, what would she think of in her journeying, what would she look for when the herds passed her? Surely for the gaze which had found her, and which she would know again.
The excerpt from "Middlemarch" reflects on a princess in a fairy tale setting, envisioning her encounters with a distinctive four-footed creature. This creature looks at her with a gaze that is both pleading and selective, capturing her attention and stirring her curiosity. The quote suggests that such an experience would profoundly affect her, prompting her to search for that specific gaze each time the herds passed by.
In this scenario, the gaze symbolizes a deeper connection and understanding, transcending the usual interactions with the surrounding world. The princess would likely yearn to recognize the creature's unique look, indicating a longing for emotional or meaningful encounters amidst her travels. This adds to the theme of searching for significance in life, paralleling deeper human experiences and relationships.
