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Future life Quote by Elizabeth Gaskell

“But, as Margaret half suspected, Edith had fallen asleep. She lay curled up on the sofa in the back drawing-room in Harley Street, looking very lovely in her white muslin and blue ribbons. If Titania had ever been dressed in white muslin and blue ribbons, and had fallen asleep on a crimson damask…” quote by Elizabeth Gaskell
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““But, as Margaret half suspected, Edith had fallen asleep. She lay curled up on the sofa in the back drawing-room in Harley Street, looking very lovely in her white muslin and blue ribbons. If Titania had ever been dressed in white muslin and blue ribbons, and had fallen asleep on a crimson damask sofa in a back drawing-room, Edith might have been taken for her. Margaret was struck afresh by her cousin's beauty. They had grown up together from childhood, and all along Edith had been remarked upon by every one, except Margaret, for her prettiness; but Margaret had never thought about it until the last few days, when the prospect of soon losing her companion seemed to give force to every sweet quality and charm which Edith possessed. They had been talking about wedding dresses, and wedding ceremonies; and Captain Lennox, and what he had told Edith about her future life at Corfu, where his regiment was stationed; and the difficulty of keeping a piano in good tune (a difficulty which Edith seemed to consider as one of the most formidable that could befall her in her married life), and what gowns she should want in the visits to Scotland, which would immediately succeed her marriage; but the whispered tone had latterly become more drowsy; and Margaret, after a pause of a few minutes, found, as she fancied, that in spite of the buzz in the next room, Edith had rolled herself up into a soft ball of muslin and ribbon, and silken curls, and gone off into a peaceful little after-dinner nap.””

Elizabeth Gaskell

About This Quote

Source Novel: North and South, 1854

Margaret suddenly notices her cousin's beauty as she contemplates losing her, highlighting how impending loss sharpens appreciation.

In simple terms: Loss makes us see beauty.

Key Takeaway

Cherish loved ones now.

Themes

relationships loss beauty

Mood

nostalgic poignant

Type

literary reflective

When to use this quote

  • marriage planning
  • friendship
  • caregiver role

Key Concepts

ephemeral appreciation memory family bonds

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does impending loss change perception?
  • What can we do to value people before loss?
A Different Perspective

Focusing on loss may overlook present joys.

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