Page 174 - 182_

myself had somewhat altered, I did not stop feeling. After all, as
Antonia’s husband could not be other than happy.

Let me now attempt to describe Antonia. She is a woman long
accustomed to admiration, long accustomed to think of herself as
beautiful. She has long goldenish hair - prefer women with long hair
– which she wears usually in an old-fashioned knot or bun, and
indeed ‘golden’ is the best general epithet for her appearance. She is
like some rich gilded object over which time has cast the moonlit
pallor of a gentle veneer; or in a more effective simile one might
compare her to the water-haunted sunlight on an old pavement in
Venice, for there is always something a little fluid and shivering, a
little mobile and tremulous about Antonia. She has, especially of late,
aged, her face taking on that look which is sometimes described as
“ravaged” and which I notice is usually applied when, as in this case,
there is a slight drooping and discomposing of essentially fine
features. To my mind such a look can be, and is in the case of
Antonia, exceedingly moving and attractive, composing a dignity
which was not to be found in the same face when younger. Antonia
has great tawny-coloured intelligent searching eyes and a mobile
expressive mouth which is usually twisted into some pout of
amusement or tender interest. She is a tall woman, and although
always a little inclined to plumpness has been called “willowy” which
I take as a reference to her characteristic twisted and unsymmetrical
poses. Her face and body are never to be discovered quite in repose.

Assignments

1.Comprehension & discussion questions

1. How did Antonia’s husband feel about her?
2. How does he describe himself?
3. Why does he describe his getting married as a decisive step?
4. What education did Antonia get?
5. What were her parents?
6. What similies are used to describe Antonia?

180