The Last Of The Valerii

She rode with him sometimes in the tufty shadow of aqueducts and tombs, and sometimes suffered him to show his beautiful wife at Roman dinners and balls. She played dominoes with him after dinner, and carried out in a desultory way a daily scheme of reading him the newspapers. This observance was subject to fluctuations caused by the Counts invincible tendency to go to sleep, a failing his wife never attempted to disguise or palliate. She would sit and brush the flies from him while he lay picturesquely snoozing, and, if I ventured near him, would place her linger on her lips and whisper that she thought her husband was as handsome asleep as awake.

Born in 1843 in New York City, Henry James was the son of theologian Henry James Sr. and the brother of philosopher William James. He spent his formative years between Europe and America, receiving an eclectic education that exposed him to diverse cultures and ideas. This transatlantic upbringing profoundly influenced his literary perspective, leading him to explore the contrasts between the Old and New Worlds in his works.James's literary career began with short stories and critical essays, but he gained prominence with novels like The American (1877) and Daisy Miller (1878). His writing often delved into the complexities of social interactions and the subtleties of personal relationships, reflecting his keen observations of society. His nuanced characterizations and intricate narratives earned him a reputation as a master of psychological realism.In his later years, James continued to produce significant works, including The Wings of the Dove (1902) and The Ambassadors (1903). He became a British citizen in 1915, a year before his death in 1916, underscoring his deep connection to Europe. Today, Henry James is celebrated as a pivotal figure in 19th-century literature, whose exploration of consciousness and perception paved the way for modernist writers.