I'm grappling with Child Harold these days and so it occured to me that Avon is in a way akin to Byron's heroes. Pale, attractive to women, high-born(possibly), educated, world-weary, cynical, and as a rule there's a hint that behind this mask of disinterest and cold disdain some secret past woe is deeply buried...
Here are some lines to support my theory:
Nay, smile not at my sullen brow, Alas! I cannot smile again; Yet heaven avert that ever thou Shouldst weep, and haply weep in vain.
And dost thou ask, what secret woe I bear, coroding joy and youth? And wilt thou vainly seek to know A pang, ev'n thou must fail to soothe?
Through many a clime 'tis mine to go. With many a retrospection curst; And all my solace is to know, Whate'er betides, I've known the worst.
What is the worst? Nay do not ask- In pity from the search forbear; Smile on - nor venture to unmask Man's heart, and view the Hell that's there.
N.