Thomas de Quincey

The Notebook of an English Opium Eater Thomas de Quincey

Book Excerpt: heart.' His eyes seemed frozenand glazed, as if their light were all converged upon some victim lurkingin the far background. So far his appearance might have repelled; but, onthe other hand, the concurrent testimony of many witnesses, and also thesilent testimony of facts, showed that the oiliness and snaky insinuationof his demeanor counteracted the repulsiveness of his ghastly face, andamongst inexperienced young women won for him a very favorable reception. In particular, one gentle-mannered girl, whom Williams had undoubtedlydesigned to murder, gave in evidence--that once, when sitting alone withher, he had said, 'Now, Miss R., supposing that I should appear aboutmidnight at your bedside, armed with a carving knife, what would you say?'To which the confiding girl had, replied, 'Oh, Mr. Williams, if it wasanybody else, I should be frightened. But, as soon as I heard your voice, I should be tranquil.' Poor girl! had this outline sketch of Mr. Williams been filled in and realized, she woRead More