[General] be in abeyance

[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 from Stevenson’s “The Wrecker”?

I was, at least, so sunk in sadness, that I scarce remarked where I was going; and chance (or some finer sense that live in us, and only guides us when the mind is in abeyance) conducted my steps into a quarter of the island where the birds were few.

be in abeyance = be in state of uncertainty, uncertainty, expectations; be in limbo; be in dormant state

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

 

[stanislaw.masny]

Dear vil
I will try (only try)to have a share in explaining it. I'm not a teacher.
I think that your interpretation "to be in state of limbo/inactivity" is appropriate.
"the mind is passive".
Thank you.
S.M.

 

[chester_100]

I believe you're right. Abeyance is categorized as an advanced word. Although that doesn't seem to be an original metaphor, using abeyance to mean disorientation as a result of psychological or physiological malfunctioning seems to be original.

In abeyance can mean, in a non-literary context, not being used; suspended; barred.

 

[sarat_106]

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 from Stevenson’s “The Wrecker”?

I was, at least, so sunk in sadness, that I scarcely remarked where I was going; and chanced (or some finer sense that live in us, and only guides us when the mind is in abeyance) conducting my steps into a quarter of the island where the birds were few.

be in abeyance = be in state of uncertainty, uncertainty, expectations; be in limbo; be in dormant state

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

I hope, you would not mind my making a few modifications that sounds ok to me. Your interpretation of 'mind is in abeyance' is perfectly right though this may not be used in everyday English.