Attempt > Volume 3

244 THE ATTEMPT.
and jealousy in her heart. Poor Heine, we pity rather than condemn her, for she
struggled hard against that one infirmity of her nature—Jealous mistrust.
" Certain combinations, which, at one time, to some people, seem utterly shifting and un¬
meaning, to others are, as it were, stamped and arrested for ever in their minds. A certain set of
emotions have led up to them, a certain result follows."
So Miss Thackeray pleads for Reine, and shows how, what to others appeared
natural, from her point of view, and ia her state of mind, was striking, and brought
out latent fear and doubt which she had tried to smother.
Then follows the wonderfully graphic description of the night in the storm ; the
consternation of the little fishing village, as, through the tempest of rain, they
watched the little boat trying for the harbour; then the quick, sudden accident, and
then the little widow alone in her grief. Hers was, indeed, a sad life ; in the begin¬
ning one wishes a Miss Dampier might appear to make all right—^but it was better
as it was. And finishing, one is not troubled with the haunting fear, that in looking
forward from the beginning might have come to one, of an unfulfilled destiny, of the
possibility, as it were, of missing one's life. Catherine did not miss her life, if the
aim of life is, to make one nobler, purer, and more heavenly-minded; and she did not
even miss her share of human happiness, for she had the undivided love of one
tender heart.
I have not said much of Reine, the beautiful, interesting fermiere; but it
seems as though little could be said in this short sketch; or of Dick either, or of
Madame de Tracy, or Madame Mirard, or of one half of the characters, which, however
little they appear, are yet so distinct in their individuality.
The writing of this story is very delightful,—so graphic and interesting, and yet
full of strange poetic pathos. Nature is made a vivid personality; and there is
hardly an incident in which the whole outward surroundings of the scene are not
described : as if to bring it distinctly before our gaze, omitting no trivial circum¬
stance, no stray word which might have influence in balancing the reader's mind.
Those who dislike pre-Raphaelistic writing, may find it too descriptive, for the writer
spares no trouble in trying to bring the most insignificant personage clearly before
us, in describing scenes which have no real bearing on the tale, more than as they
make us enter more fully, not only into the outer bearings, but the inner feelings of
the actors.
It is hinted that there is a story at present appearing in the Comhill Magazine
from the same delicate pen; if this be true, and if it be but one-half so delightful as
either of her others, it will well be worth the trouble of reading. Enai.