in an easy frame of mind

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

When Miss Sharp had performed the heroic act mentioned in the last chapter, and had seen the Dictionary, flying over the pavement of the little garden, fall at length at the feet of the astonished Miss Jemima, the young lady's countenance, which had before worn an almost livid look of hatred, assumed a smile that perhaps was scarcely more agreeable, and she sank back in the carriage in an easy frame of mind, saying-

in an easy frame of mind = with a huge sigh of relief

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

[ollieacappella]

Wow, that's a whopper of a sentence!

One's "frame of mind" is similar to one's mood. Sometimes, "easy" can mean "relaxed" (as in the phrase "take it easy"). So she was in a relaxed mood.

Your interpretation fits the context, but it is not precise. She probably breathed a huge sigh of relief before she sank back into the carriage.

[vil]

or maybe ... she sank back in the carriage breathing a sigh of relief...


Regards,


V.

[AmyYvonne]

this is a really long sentence...personally, if I were to have this as an assignment, I would revise it into more specific and shorter sentences. It would be clearer for me to read it as "With the utmost confidence, she sank back into the carriage while saying...."

hope this helps - new to forum

[vil]

The "long" sentence in question is written not by me, but by the quite interesting for me writer Charles Theckery in his book "Vanity Fair".

Regards,

V.