You are here

Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women (Paperback)

Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women By George MacDonald Cover Image
$12.49
Contact us to check availability or search our used and rare book site at www.findbooks.com

Description


One of the rusty hinges cracked and broke as I opened the door: it revealed a number of small pigeon-holes. These, however, being but shallow compared with the depth of those around the little cupboard, the outer ones reaching to the back of the desk, I concluded that there must be some accessible space behind; and found, indeed, that they were formed in a separate framework, which admitted of the whole being pulled out in one piece. Behind, I found a sort of flexible portcullis of small bars of wood laid close together horizontally. After long search, and trying many ways to move it, I discovered at last a scarcely projecting point of steel on one side. I pressed this repeatedly and hard with the point of an old tool that was lying near, till at length it yielded inwards; and the little slide, flying up suddenly, disclosed a chamber-empty, except that in one corner lay a little heap of withered rose-leaves, whose long-lived scent had long since departed; and, in another, a small packet of papers, tied with a bit of ribbon, whose colour had gone with the rose-scent. Almost fearing to touch them, they witnessed so mutely to the law of oblivion, I leaned back in my chair, and regarded them for a moment; when suddenly there stood on the threshold of the little chamber, as though she had just emerged from its depth, a tiny woman-form, as perfect in shape as if she had been a small Greek statuette roused to life and motion. Her dress was of a kind that could never grow old-fashioned, because it was simply natural: a robe plaited in a band around the neck, and confined by a belt about the waist, descended to her feet. It was only afterwards, however, that I took notice of her dress, although my surprise was by no means of so overpowering a degree as such an apparition might naturally be expected to excite. Seeing, however, as I suppose, some astonishment in my countenance, she came forward within a yard of me, and said, in a voice that strangely recalled a sensation of twilight, and reedy river banks, and a low wind, even in this deathly room: -"Anodos, you never saw such a little creature before, did you?""No," said I; "and indeed I hardly believe I do now.""Ah that is always the way with you men; you believe nothing the first time; and it is foolish enough to let mere repetition convince you of what you consider in itself unbelievable. I am not going to argue with you, however, but to grant you a wish."Here I could not help interrupting her with the foolish speech, of which, however, I had no cause to repent-"How can such a very little creature as you grant or refuse anything?""Is that all the philosophy you have gained in one-and-twenty years?" said she. "Form is much, but size is nothing. It is a mere matter of relation.


Product Details
ISBN: 9798736012794
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication Date: April 11th, 2021
Pages: 152
Language: English

Holiday orders

NOW is the time to place your holiday gift orders! To ensure your order reaches before the holidays, we are recommending you place your December orders as soon as possible.

We cannot guarantee any orders for books placed after December 13th will reach you before Christmas.

The sooner we receive your orders, the more chance we have of them arriving before the holidays!

We also have gift certificates available for any amount - click here!