They brought themselves by these means, acting on a mood of profound happiness, to a state of clear-sightedness where the lifting of a finger had effect, and one word spoke more than a sentence. They lapsed gently into silence, travelling the dark paths of thought side by side towards something discerned in the distance which gradually possessed them both. They were victors, masters of life, but at the same time absorbed in the flame, giving their life to increase its brightness, to testify to their faith. Thus they had walked, perhaps, twice or three times up and down Mary Datchet"s street before the recurrence of a light burning behind a thin, yellow blind caused them to stop without exactly knowing why they did so. It burnt itself into their minds.
"That is the light in Mary"s room," said Ralph. "She must be at home." He pointed across the street. Katharine"s eyes rested there too.
"Is she alone, working at this time of night? What is she working at?" she wondered. "Why should we interrupt her?" she asked pa.s.sionately. "What have we got to give her? She"s happy too," she added. "She has her work." Her voice shook slightly, and the light swam like an ocean of gold behind her tears.
"You don"t want me to go to her?" Ralph asked.
"Go, if you like; tell her what you like," she replied.
He crossed the road immediately, and went up the steps into Mary"s house. Katharine stood where he left her, looking at the window and expecting soon to see a shadow move across it; but she saw nothing; the blinds conveyed nothing; the light was not moved. It signalled to her across the dark street; it was a sign of triumph shining there for ever, not to be extinguished this side of the grave. She brandished her happiness as if in salute; she dipped it as if in reverence. "How they burn!" she thought, and all the darkness of London seemed set with fires, roaring upwards; but her eyes came back to Mary"s window and rested there satisfied. She had waited some time before a figure detached itself from the doorway and came across the road, slowly and reluctantly, to where she stood.
"I didn"t go in-I couldn"t bring myself," he broke off. He had stood outside Mary"s door unable to bring himself to knock; if she had come out she would have found him there, the tears running down his cheeks, unable to speak.
They stood for some moments, looking at the illuminated blinds, an expression to them both of something impersonal and serene in the spirit of the woman within, working out her plans far into the night-her plans for the good of a world that none of them were ever to know. Then their minds jumped on and other little figures came by in procession, headed, in Ralph"s view, by the figure of Sally Seal.
"Do you remember Sally Seal?" he asked. Katharine bent her head.
"Your mother and Mary?" he went on. "Rodney and Ca.s.sandra? Old Joan up at Highgate?" He stopped in his enumeration, not finding it possible to link them together in any way that should explain the queer combination which he could perceive in them, as he thought of them. They appeared to him to be more than individuals; to be made up of many different things in cohesion; he had a vision of an orderly world.
"It"s all so easy-it"s all so simple," Katharine quoted, remembering some words of Sally Seal"s, and wishing Ralph to understand that she followed the track of his thought. She felt him trying to piece together in a laborious and elementary fashion fragments of belief, unsoldered and separate, lacking the unity of phrases fashioned by the old believers. Together they groped in this difficult region, where the unfinished, the unfulfilled, the unwritten, the unreturned, came together in their ghostly way and wore the semblance of the complete and the satisfactory. The future emerged more splendid than ever from this construction of the present. Books were to be written, and since books must be written in rooms, and rooms must have hangings, and outside the windows there must be land, and an horizon to that land, and trees perhaps, and a hill, they sketched a habitation for themselves upon the outline of great offices in the Strand and continued to make an account of the future upon the omnibus which took them towards Chelsea; and still, for both of them, it swam miraculously in the golden light of a a large steady lamp. large steady lamp.1 As the night was far advanced they had the whole of the seats on the top of the omnibus to choose from, and the roads, save for an occasional couple, wearing, even at midnight, an air of sheltering their words from the public, were deserted. No longer did the shadow of a man sing to the shadow of a piano. A few lights in bedroom windows burnt but were extinguished one by one as the omnibus pa.s.sed them.
They dismounted and walked down to the river. She felt his arm stiffen beneath her hand, and knew by this token that they had entered the enchanted region. She might speak to him, but with that strange tremor in his voice, those eyes blindly adoring, whom did he answer? What woman did he see? And where was she walking, and who was her companion? Moments, fragments, a second of vision, and then the flying waters, the winds dissipating and dissolving; then, too, the recollection from chaos, the return of security, the earth firm, superb and brilliant in the sun. From the heart of his darkness he spoke his thanksgiving; from a region as far, as hidden, she answered him. On a June night the nightingales sing, they answer each other across the plain; they are heard under the window among the trees in the garden. Pausing, they looked down into the river which bore its dark tide of waters, endlessly moving, beneath them. They turned and found themselves opposite the house. Quietly they surveyed the friendly place, burning its lamps either in expectation of them or because Rodney was still there talking to Ca.s.sandra. Katharine pushed the door half open and stood upon the threshold. The light lay in soft golden grains upon the deep obscurity of the hushed and sleeping household. For a moment they waited, and then loosed their hands. "Good night," he breathed. "Good night," she murmured back to him.
ENDNOTES.
Chapter I.
1 (p. 6) (p. 6) Mr Fortescue, the eminent novelist: Mr Fortescue, the eminent novelist: The verbose Mr. Fortescue may be based on American novelist Henry James (1843-1916), whom Woolf had known since childhood. The verbose Mr. Fortescue may be based on American novelist Henry James (1843-1916), whom Woolf had known since childhood.
2 (p. 9) (p. 9) "Would it be the Battle of Trafalgar or the Spanish Armada": "Would it be the Battle of Trafalgar or the Spanish Armada": Mrs. Hilbery is referring to two British naval victories. In the Battle of Trafalgar, fought on October 21, 1805, the British defeated the allied French and Spanish fleets and ended the threat of a French invasion of England. The Spanish Armada, sent in 1588 by King Philip II of Spain to invade England and dethrone Queen Elizabeth I, was defeated by British ships off the coast of Calais. Mrs. Hilbery is referring to two British naval victories. In the Battle of Trafalgar, fought on October 21, 1805, the British defeated the allied French and Spanish fleets and ended the threat of a French invasion of England. The Spanish Armada, sent in 1588 by King Philip II of Spain to invade England and dethrone Queen Elizabeth I, was defeated by British ships off the coast of Calais.
3 (p. 11) (p. 11) "rode with Havelock to the Relief of Lucknow": "rode with Havelock to the Relief of Lucknow": The British garrison in Lucknow, a major city in northern India, was besieged during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858, in which Indian soldiers revolted against British rule. British general Henry Havelock recaptured Lucknow in March 1858. The British garrison in Lucknow, a major city in northern India, was besieged during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858, in which Indian soldiers revolted against British rule. British general Henry Havelock recaptured Lucknow in March 1858.
4 (p. 13) (p. 13) "We"re a respectable middle-cla.s.s family, living at Highgate": "We"re a respectable middle-cla.s.s family, living at Highgate": Formerly a hilltop village to the north of London, Highgate had become a middle-cla.s.s suburb by the end of the nineteenth century, though unlike fashionable Chelsea it lacked social prestige. Formerly a hilltop village to the north of London, Highgate had become a middle-cla.s.s suburb by the end of the nineteenth century, though unlike fashionable Chelsea it lacked social prestige.
5 (p. 16) (p. 16) "the very chair that Mary Queen of Scots sat in when she heard of Darnley"s murder": "the very chair that Mary Queen of Scots sat in when she heard of Darnley"s murder": The Earl of Darnley (Henry Stuart, 1545-1567) was the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. He became involved in a royal conspiracy that resulted in the a.s.sa.s.sination of David Rizzio, a favorite of Mary"s and secretary for French affairs in her court, and was mysteriously murdered shortly thereafter, possibly with Mary"s knowledge. The Earl of Darnley (Henry Stuart, 1545-1567) was the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. He became involved in a royal conspiracy that resulted in the a.s.sa.s.sination of David Rizzio, a favorite of Mary"s and secretary for French affairs in her court, and was mysteriously murdered shortly thereafter, possibly with Mary"s knowledge.
Chapter II.
1 (p. 26) (p. 26) "What is happiness?": "What is happiness?": Ralph"s question was of much concern at the gatherings of writers and artists known as the Bloomsbury group, of whom Woolf was a prominent member. She writes in a journal entry dated May 7, 1919, "Happiness-what, I wonder, const.i.tutes happiness? I daresay the most important element is work" ( Ralph"s question was of much concern at the gatherings of writers and artists known as the Bloomsbury group, of whom Woolf was a prominent member. She writes in a journal entry dated May 7, 1919, "Happiness-what, I wonder, const.i.tutes happiness? I daresay the most important element is work" (The Diary of Virginia Woolf, vol. 1, p. 269; see "For Further Reading"). Consider the many moments in the novel when the characters ask similar questions. vol. 1, p. 269; see "For Further Reading"). Consider the many moments in the novel when the characters ask similar questions.
Chapter III.
1 (p. 29) (p. 29) Mr. Galton"s "Hereditary Mr. Galton"s "Hereditary Genius": Genius": Hereditary Genius: An Enquiry into Its Laws and Consequences Hereditary Genius: An Enquiry into Its Laws and Consequences (1869) was the first major work of English scientist Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911), founder of eugenics, the science of improving genetic qualities of a race or breed through selective breeding. (1869) was the first major work of English scientist Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911), founder of eugenics, the science of improving genetic qualities of a race or breed through selective breeding.
2 (p. 29) (p. 29) sailed with Sir John Franklin to the North Pole: sailed with Sir John Franklin to the North Pole: English explorer Sir John Franklin (1786-1847) led several expeditions to the Arctic; his last expedition (1845-1847) proved the existence of the Northwest Pa.s.sage but resulted in the deaths of himself and his crew. English explorer Sir John Franklin (1786-1847) led several expeditions to the Arctic; his last expedition (1845-1847) proved the existence of the Northwest Pa.s.sage but resulted in the deaths of himself and his crew.
3 (p. 37) (p. 37) she slipped her paper between the leaves of a great Greek dictionary: she slipped her paper between the leaves of a great Greek dictionary: This gesture, connoting secrecy, recalls Jane Austen"s account in a letter of how she would hide pages of her novels under a basket when visitors appeared; it also foreshadows Mary Datchet"s action in chapter XXI (see p. 233). This gesture, connoting secrecy, recalls Jane Austen"s account in a letter of how she would hide pages of her novels under a basket when visitors appeared; it also foreshadows Mary Datchet"s action in chapter XXI (see p. 233).
Chapter IV.
1 (p. 42) (p. 42) Septimus: Septimus: Woolf also uses this name in her novel Woolf also uses this name in her novel Mrs. Dalloway Mrs. Dalloway (1925) for the character of Septimus Warren Smith, a sh.e.l.l-shocked veteran of World War I. (1925) for the character of Septimus Warren Smith, a sh.e.l.l-shocked veteran of World War I.
2 (p. 48) (p. 48) "the pa.s.sage just before the death of the d.u.c.h.ess?": "the pa.s.sage just before the death of the d.u.c.h.ess?": Rodney is referring to the tragedy Rodney is referring to the tragedy The d.u.c.h.ess of Malfi The d.u.c.h.ess of Malfi (c.1613), by Elizabethan dramatist and poet John Webster. (c.1613), by Elizabethan dramatist and poet John Webster.
3 (p. 48) (p. 48) "Didn"t you hear them say "Insurance Bill"?" "I wonder why men always talk about politics?" Mary speculated. "I suppose, if we had votes, we should too": "Didn"t you hear them say "Insurance Bill"?" "I wonder why men always talk about politics?" Mary speculated. "I suppose, if we had votes, we should too": The National Insurance Bill, which was pa.s.sed in 1911, proposed benefits during illness and unemployment, to be financed by charitable contributions. In Great Britain, although women over the age of thirty were given the vote in 1918, women did not have voting rights equal to those of men until 1928. The National Insurance Bill, which was pa.s.sed in 1911, proposed benefits during illness and unemployment, to be financed by charitable contributions. In Great Britain, although women over the age of thirty were given the vote in 1918, women did not have voting rights equal to those of men until 1928.
Chapter V.
1 (p. 56) (p. 56) "With how sad steps she climbs the sky, /How silently and with how wan a face": "With how sad steps she climbs the sky, /How silently and with how wan a face": Rodney is slightly misquoting this line from Sonnet 31 of English poet Sir Philip Sidney"s sequence Rodney is slightly misquoting this line from Sonnet 31 of English poet Sir Philip Sidney"s sequence Astrophel and Stella Astrophel and Stella (1591); the first line should read, "With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb"st the skies!" (1591); the first line should read, "With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb"st the skies!"
Chapter VI.
1 (p. 67) (p. 67) she made her way across Lincoln"s Inn Fields . . . until she reached her office in Russell Square: she made her way across Lincoln"s Inn Fields . . . until she reached her office in Russell Square: Lincoln"s Inn Fields, the largest of London"s squares, was designed in part by the renowned English architect Inigo Jones (1573-1652); located in the City of London near the Royal Courts of Justice and the four Inns of Court, it is the site of lawyers" offices. Russell Square, the largest square in the Bloomsbury section of London, is near the British Museum and the University of London. Lincoln"s Inn Fields, the largest of London"s squares, was designed in part by the renowned English architect Inigo Jones (1573-1652); located in the City of London near the Royal Courts of Justice and the four Inns of Court, it is the site of lawyers" offices. Russell Square, the largest square in the Bloomsbury section of London, is near the British Museum and the University of London.
2 (p. 71) (p. 71) the British Museum . . . Elgin marbles . . . the Ulysses: the British Museum . . . Elgin marbles . . . the Ulysses: London"s British Museum houses the Elgin marbles, a collection of ancient Greek sculptures that once adorned the Parthenon, the famed temple to Athena in Athens. The collection, which includes the frieze and parts of the pediment of the Parthenon, was brought to England in the first decade of the nineteenth century by Thomas Bruce, seventh earl of Elgin, and sold to the British government in 1816; one of the sculptures is a head wearing a sailor"s cap, thought to represent Ulysses. London"s British Museum houses the Elgin marbles, a collection of ancient Greek sculptures that once adorned the Parthenon, the famed temple to Athena in Athens. The collection, which includes the frieze and parts of the pediment of the Parthenon, was brought to England in the first decade of the nineteenth century by Thomas Bruce, seventh earl of Elgin, and sold to the British government in 1816; one of the sculptures is a head wearing a sailor"s cap, thought to represent Ulysses.
3 (p. 71) (p. 71) another gallery devoted to engraved obelisks and winged a.s.syrian bulls: another gallery devoted to engraved obelisks and winged a.s.syrian bulls: The museum contains several examples of obelisks, four-sided, tapering, usually monolithic pillars that terminate in a pyramid. The a.s.syrian bulls are a pair of huge winged stone bulls with human heads that once guarded the gates to the citadel of the a.s.syrian king Sargon II (721-705 B.C.), in what is today the village of Khorsabad, Iraq. The museum contains several examples of obelisks, four-sided, tapering, usually monolithic pillars that terminate in a pyramid. The a.s.syrian bulls are a pair of huge winged stone bulls with human heads that once guarded the gates to the citadel of the a.s.syrian king Sargon II (721-705 B.C.), in what is today the village of Khorsabad, Iraq.
4 (p. 74) (p. 74) "Salford"s affiliated": "Salford"s affiliated": Clacton means that the Salford society for suffrage reform has joined the larger fictional society for general suffrage. Salford is an industrial city near Manchester in northwestern England. Clacton means that the Salford society for suffrage reform has joined the larger fictional society for general suffrage. Salford is an industrial city near Manchester in northwestern England.
5 (p. 74) (p. 74) "Partridge"s last speech? "Partridge"s last speech? ... ... the best thing they"ve had in the House this Session": the best thing they"ve had in the House this Session": Partridge is a fict.i.tious member of Parliament and a supporter of suffrage in the House of Commons. Partridge is a fict.i.tious member of Parliament and a supporter of suffrage in the House of Commons.
6 (p. 79) (p. 79) "that verse from the Psalms . . . about the sowers and the seed": "that verse from the Psalms . . . about the sowers and the seed": Rather than Psalms, Sally seems to be thinking of the biblical Parable of the Sower and the Seed (Luke 8:5-8): "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold." Rather than Psalms, Sally seems to be thinking of the biblical Parable of the Sower and the Seed (Luke 8:5-8): "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold."
7 (p. 81) (p. 81) enchanted people in a bewitched tower, with the spiders" webs looping across the corners of the room: enchanted people in a bewitched tower, with the spiders" webs looping across the corners of the room: The pa.s.sage is possibly an echo of English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson"s 1832 poem "The Lady of Shalott": "There she weaves by night and day / A magic web with colours gay." The pa.s.sage is possibly an echo of English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson"s 1832 poem "The Lady of Shalott": "There she weaves by night and day / A magic web with colours gay."
Chapter VII.
1 (p. 84) (p. 84) " "It"s the younger generation knocking at the door" ": " "It"s the younger generation knocking at the door" ": This is an allusion to a line from Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen"s 1892 play This is an allusion to a line from Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen"s 1892 play The Master Builder. The Master Builder. "Presently the younger generation will come knock at my door." "Presently the younger generation will come knock at my door."
2 (p. 86) (p. 86) "the name of the lady Hamlet was in love with": "the name of the lady Hamlet was in love with": Mrs. Hilbery is referring to Ophelia, in Shakespeare"s tragedy Mrs. Hilbery is referring to Ophelia, in Shakespeare"s tragedy Hamlet. Hamlet.
3 (p. 90) (p. 90) the Hilberys subscribed to a library: the Hilberys subscribed to a library: Lending libraries were extremely popular in England. Lending libraries were extremely popular in England.
Chapter VIII.
1 (p. 94) (p. 94) Mr. Hilbery"s study . . . Sh.e.l.ley . . . Byron . . . Keats"s: Mr. Hilbery"s study . . . Sh.e.l.ley . . . Byron . . . Keats"s: Mr. Hilbery is studying the lives of Percy Bysshe Sh.e.l.ley (1792-1822), Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron, 1788-1824), and John Keats (1795-1821), all English romantic poets. Mr. Hilbery is studying the lives of Percy Bysshe Sh.e.l.ley (1792-1822), Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron, 1788-1824), and John Keats (1795-1821), all English romantic poets.
2 (p. 94) (p. 94) whether Coleridge had wished to marry Dorothy Wordsworth: whether Coleridge had wished to marry Dorothy Wordsworth: The close friendship between English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), English poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), and William"s sister Dorothy (1771-1855), a prose writer known for her diaries and recollections, is well doc.u.mented. The close friendship between English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), English poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), and William"s sister Dorothy (1771-1855), a prose writer known for her diaries and recollections, is well doc.u.mented.
3 (p. 95) (p. 95) "Ibsen and Butler . . . He has sent me a letter full of quotations "Ibsen and Butler . . . He has sent me a letter full of quotations-nonsense, though clever nonsense": Cyril is apparently defending his decision not to marry by quoting Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) and English novelist Samuel Butler (1835-1902); both attacked the bourgeois values of nineteenth-century society and presented new models of gender and family. Cyril is apparently defending his decision not to marry by quoting Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) and English novelist Samuel Butler (1835-1902); both attacked the bourgeois values of nineteenth-century society and presented new models of gender and family.
Chapter IX.
1 (p. 102) (p. 102) "I can see them now, sweeping over the lawns at Melbury House": "I can see them now, sweeping over the lawns at Melbury House": Mrs. Hilbery recalls an actual event-the artistic garden parties at Little Holland House (in what is today Melbury Road) held by Woolf"s great aunt Mrs. Sara Prinsep, who lived there from 1850 to 1871. Woolf"s mother often attended them, and it was here that Woolf"s father, Sir Leslie Stephen, met the daughters of English novelist William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863), Minny (who would become his first wife) and Anny. Mrs. Hilbery recalls an actual event-the artistic garden parties at Little Holland House (in what is today Melbury Road) held by Woolf"s great aunt Mrs. Sara Prinsep, who lived there from 1850 to 1871. Woolf"s mother often attended them, and it was here that Woolf"s father, Sir Leslie Stephen, met the daughters of English novelist William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863), Minny (who would become his first wife) and Anny.
2 (p. 104) (p. 104) "off we went for a day"s pleasuring "off we went for a day"s pleasuring-Richmond, Hampton Court, the Surrey Hills": Richmond upon Thames is a borough of London known for its domestic architecture and large green. Nearby Hampton Court Palace, about which Woolf wrote a short essay in 1903, is the former home of Henry VIII and other kings and queens of England. Immediately south of London, the district of Surrey is a hilly, rural area frequented by day-trippers from London. Richmond upon Thames is a borough of London known for its domestic architecture and large green. Nearby Hampton Court Palace, about which Woolf wrote a short essay in 1903, is the former home of Henry VIII and other kings and queens of England. Immediately south of London, the district of Surrey is a hilly, rural area frequented by day-trippers from London.
3 (p. 105) (p. 105) "I went to his rooms, when I knew he was engaged at the poor men"s college.... an address in Seton Street, off the Kennington Road": "I went to his rooms, when I knew he was engaged at the poor men"s college.... an address in Seton Street, off the Kennington Road": Seton Street is fict.i.tious, but Kennington Road runs through a poor district of south London. Like Cyril, Woolf also taught at a college for the working cla.s.s, Morley College in south London, from 1905 to 1907. Seton Street is fict.i.tious, but Kennington Road runs through a poor district of south London. Like Cyril, Woolf also taught at a college for the working cla.s.s, Morley College in south London, from 1905 to 1907.
Chapter X.
1 (p. 110) (p. 110) When he had found this beauty or this cause, no force, she knew, would avail to restrain him from pursuit of it. She suspected the East: When he had found this beauty or this cause, no force, she knew, would avail to restrain him from pursuit of it. She suspected the East: Perhaps Woolf is referring obliquely to her husband, Leonard, who spent seven years in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) with the Colonial Service. Perhaps Woolf is referring obliquely to her husband, Leonard, who spent seven years in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) with the Colonial Service.
2 (p. 114) (p. 114) was in the process of turning him from Tory to Radical: was in the process of turning him from Tory to Radical: That is, she was making him more liberal; Tories were supporters of the Conservative Party, and Radicals were left-wing followers of the Liberal Party (which was losing support to the newly emerging Labour Party). That is, she was making him more liberal; Tories were supporters of the Conservative Party, and Radicals were left-wing followers of the Liberal Party (which was losing support to the newly emerging Labour Party).
3 (p. 114) (p. 114) "It"s life that matters, nothing but life-the process of discovering-the everlasting and perpetual process, not the discovery itself at all": "It"s life that matters, nothing but life-the process of discovering-the everlasting and perpetual process, not the discovery itself at all": Katharine is recalling lines from Katharine is recalling lines from The Idiot The Idiot (1868-1869), a novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. (1868-1869), a novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky.
4 (p. 115) (p. 115) "Don"t you think Mr Asquith deserves to be hanged?" "Don"t you think Mr Asquith deserves to be hanged?" . . . . . . with respect to the Women"s Suffrage Bill: with respect to the Women"s Suffrage Bill: Herbert Henry Asquith, the Liberal prime minister from 1908 to 1916, strongly opposed women"s suffrage; in 1918, bending to political pressure, he reluctantly voted in support of the enfranchis.e.m.e.nt reform bill, which gave the right to vote to women over the age of thirty. Herbert Henry Asquith, the Liberal prime minister from 1908 to 1916, strongly opposed women"s suffrage; in 1918, bending to political pressure, he reluctantly voted in support of the enfranchis.e.m.e.nt reform bill, which gave the right to vote to women over the age of thirty.
Chapter XI.
1 (p. 123) (p. 123) "Sylvano enters, accompanied by the rest of the gentlemen of Gratian"s court": "Sylvano enters, accompanied by the rest of the gentlemen of Gratian"s court": Gratian was an emperor (A.D. 367-383) of the late Roman Empire, though William"s play sounds more like a Renaissance pastoral romance. Gratian was an emperor (A.D. 367-383) of the late Roman Empire, though William"s play sounds more like a Renaissance pastoral romance.
2 (p. 124) fell (p. 124) fell into a dream state, ... there dwelt the realities of the appearances which figure in our world; into a dream state, ... there dwelt the realities of the appearances which figure in our world; ... ... the beauty seen here in flying glimpses the beauty seen here in flying glimpses only: Katharine"s dreams, here and elsewhere, recall Greek philosopher Plato (427-347 B.C. ) and his theory of Forms, which holds that the phenomena of this world offer mere hints of their ideal versions, and that reality exists only in the world of Forms, or Ideas. only: Katharine"s dreams, here and elsewhere, recall Greek philosopher Plato (427-347 B.C. ) and his theory of Forms, which holds that the phenomena of this world offer mere hints of their ideal versions, and that reality exists only in the world of Forms, or Ideas.
Chapter XII.
1 (p. 130) (p. 130) "I come from Woking, "I come from Woking, . . . . . . because of the sunsets.... Where are the sunsets now? Alas! There is no sunset now nearer than the South Coast": because of the sunsets.... Where are the sunsets now? Alas! There is no sunset now nearer than the South Coast": Woking is a town in southwestern Surrey, south of London. Mrs. Cosham implies that, although she moved there for its scenic vistas, the suburbs are now so built up that it has become impossible to view the sunset there. Woking is a town in southwestern Surrey, south of London. Mrs. Cosham implies that, although she moved there for its scenic vistas, the suburbs are now so built up that it has become impossible to view the sunset there.
2 (p. 133) (p. 133) Alfred Tennyson Alfred Tennyson . . . . . . "The Princess": "The Princess": "The Princess" (1847), a long narrative poem by Tennyson, calls for the education of women and features a women"s college from which men are excluded. "The Princess" (1847), a long narrative poem by Tennyson, calls for the education of women and features a women"s college from which men are excluded.
3 (p. 133) (p. 133) "We want some one to show us what a good man can be. We have Laura and Beatrice, Antigone and Cordelia": "We want some one to show us what a good man can be. We have Laura and Beatrice, Antigone and Cordelia": Mrs. Cosham is referring to Laura, the inspiration for Italian poet Petrarch (1304-1374); Beatrice Portinari, muse of Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321); Antigone, t.i.tular heroine of the tragedy by Greek dramatist Sophocles (c.496-406 B.C.); and Cordelia, the youngest daughter of King Lear in the tragedy by William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Mrs. Cosham is referring to Laura, the inspiration for Italian poet Petrarch (1304-1374); Beatrice Portinari, muse of Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321); Antigone, t.i.tular heroine of the tragedy by Greek dramatist Sophocles (c.496-406 B.C.); and Cordelia, the youngest daughter of King Lear in the tragedy by William Shakespeare (1564-1616).