- end_line
- 12661
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T03:55:03.886Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 12619
- text
- of my previous efforts, I again rushed madly forward at the summit of my
speed, and having advanced ten or twelve rods unperceived, was
flattering myself that I should this time make good my purpose; when,
turning suddenly round, as though reminded of her late omission, and
descrying me plunging ahead like an infuriated steed, she gave a slight
audible scream of surprise, and once more fled, as though helped forward
by invisible wings.
This last failure was too much. I stopped short, and stamping the ground
in ungovernable rage, gave vent to my chagrin in a volley of
exclamations: in which, perhaps, if narrowly inspected, might have been
detected two or three expressions which savoured somewhat of the jolly
days of the jolly cavaliers. But if a man was ever excusable for
swearing, surely the circumstances of the case were palliative of the
crime. What! to be thwarted by a woman! Peradventure baffled by a girl!
Confusion! It was too bad! To be outgeneraled, routed, defeated by a
mere rib of the earth? It was not to be borne! I thought I should never
survive the inexpressible mortification of the moment, and in the height
of my despair I bethought me of putting a romantic end to my existence
upon the very spot which had witnessed my discomfiture.
But when the first transports of my wrath had passed away, and
perceiving that the waters of the river, instead of presenting an
unruffled calm, as they are wont to do on so interesting an occasion,
were discomposed and turbid; and remembering, that beside this, I had no
other means of accomplishing my heroic purpose except the vulgar and
inelegant one of braining myself against the stone wall which traversed
the road; I sensibly determined after taking into consideration the
afore-mentioned particulars, together with the fact that I had an
unfinished game of chess to win, on which depended no inconsiderable
wager, that to commit suicide under such circumstances would be highly
inexpedient, and probably be attended with many inconveniences. During
the time I had consumed in arriving at this most wise and discreet
conclusion, my mind had time to recover its former tone, and had become
comparatively calm and collected; and I saw my folly in endeavouring to
trifle with one apparently so mysterious and inexplicable.
I now resolved, that whatever might betide, I would patiently await the
issue of the affair, and advancing forward in the direction of my guide,
who all this time had maintained her ground, steadfastly watching my
actions, we both simultaneously strode forward, and were soon on the
same footing as before.
- title
- Chunk 12