Visual Inspiration – Page 2

Vauxhall on a Gala Night (Richard Phillips c.1804)

Image extracted from page 503 of *Modern London; being the history and present state of the British Metropolis. Illustrated with numerous copper plates*, by Richard Phillips. Picture dated as published June 11, 1804. Original held and digitised by the British Library. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Elizabeth placed her hand on Darcy’s arm and allowed him to escort her from their supper box and toward one of the numerous paths in Vauxhall Gardens. The vast number of people that filled the supper boxes and paths was astonishing, and then when the torches were lit, and the orchestra was playing while waiters scurried back and forth making certain that all in attendance were happy, it was nearly overwhelming. She had heard stories of this place, but until now, she had never truly imagined its grandeur.

Darcy drew Elizabeth closer to his side as they strolled. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Immensely.”

[from Unravelling Mr. Darcy]

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The Surprise (A Collection of Valentines Ancient and Modern, c. 1876)

From the book *The Quiver of Love: A Collection of Valentines Ancient and Modern*, a collection of love poems published in 1876, illustrated by Walter Crane and Kate Greenaway (source)
. The illustration was created for “The Surprise”, a translation of a German poem by Heinrich Heine (source: Google Play eBook edition page 44, 45)
. It reads:

THE SURPRISE
I dreamt I saw you yesternight,
And claspt my hands about your eyes,
Nor dared to venture in your sight
Until you pardoned the surprise.
So take my letter, Valentine,
My name and mission quickly guess —
I fear to offer word or sign;
I wait until you whisper “Yes.”

(Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

“You knew she was behind me?” There was a bit of venom in Darcy’s whisper.

Fisticuff might not happen in the garden, but Bingley was not certain he was going to survive this bit of trickery without some damage to his person.

[from Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball]

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House of Commons (Microcosm of London)

Microcosm of London Plate no. 021, House of Commons. Thomas Rowlandson (1756–1827) and Augustus Charles Pugin (1762–1832) (after) John Bluck (fl. 1791–1819), Joseph Constantine Stadler (fl. 1780–1812), Thomas Sutherland (1785–1838), J. Hill, and Harraden (aquatint engravers)[1], Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Do you truly love me?”

He held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. This woman, who lay beneath him, whose hands had slid from his hair to rest on his jaw as a finger traced his ear, was all he wanted. Not a seat in parliament and definitely not some lady of the ton even if she had bags of money. “Yes, very much. Marry me.”

from Not an Heiress

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Tonnelle de Rosier (Anna De Weert)

Tonnelle de Rosier by Anna De Weert. 1920.
Attribution: Cafedelyon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Anne gasped, and her lips trembled as tears sprang to her eyes at the sight of him.

Lady Sophia stood and after a quick word of greeting and a whispered comment to Alex, left the two alone. Alex took the place on the bench which had just been vacated by Anne’s aunt.

“You came,” Anne whispered.

from Her Heart’s Choice

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The Millinery Shop (Edgar Degas)

The Millinery Shop by Edgar Degas (1885), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

…If his heart could make his choice for him instead of his father, Kitty Bennet would be his choice. She had stolen his heart when she shivered in the wind on the street in front of the milliner’s shop as she insisted on being introduced to him as Katherine…

[from His Inconvenient Choice]

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