The Mitford sisters grew up in a place called Asthall Manor (built 1620) which, completely randomly, opened its gardens to the public for a sculpture exhibition when I happened to be driving by with some friends on a mini-break around a business meeting outside London. I too am a huge fan of Nancy Mitford's and have re-read Love in a Cold Climate multiple times. So naturally we had to divert our journey to inspect. It is totally delightful with magical gardens that have inspired me ever since.
I've been thinking about this all afternoon! I would have never struck on an obsession with light! I did however take note of where they were walking and what was along their path! Mostly as I was reading, I was immediately caught up in the people...not just the main characters, but the clerks and other working class going about their business and what I assume was their irritation of Ridley and Helen getting in the way and slowing down that business. Then watching the relationship between Ridley and Helen start to unfold and getting a sense of anguish from both of them, even though exhibited in different ways. Then seeing how Helen assessed the people around her as being somewhat trivial, but not willing to think that she is a completely hard woman as you see her brightening up at the mention of her children!
In his case one might guess from the moving lips that it was thought; and in hers from the eyes fixed stonily straight in front of her at a level above the eyes of most that it was sorrow.
I went back & did a quick count. She uses the word light 14 times in this 1st chapter ~ most in one paragraph. Then there are all the other allusions to lamps, & types of light so I'm not imagining things.
Rats. I hope there aren't too many errors in it.
I wonder what she's signifying?
Me too.
