Pagina 267 di 1118

But her fancied enjoyment was impaired by the reflection, which

at such moments intruded itself, that her father had irrevocably

decided her destiny; and she shuddered at the recollection of his

austere manners, which impressed upon all around him the

sentiments of a fatal necessity as being necessarily conjoined

with whatever he should command. Then would she compare her

condition to that of her more fortunate companions; and envy soon

grew into hatred. This would manifest itself by a display of

present superiority, and sometimes of ill-nature, sarcasm, and

spite; at other times her more amiable and gentle qualities would

obtain a transitory ascendency. Thus she passed the period

allotted for her education, in dreams of future bliss, mingled

with the dread of future misery.