Page:Francesca Carrara 1.pdf/184

180 to him matter of ridicule; he did not even pay virtue the compliment of belief in its existence. Then, his in sincerity perpetually revolted her. The present circle were always flattered—not so much by any set phrase of compliment, but by his desire to please; while the absent, with him, realised the old proverb, "ils avoient toujours tort." Their faults grew suddenly perceptible, and their absurdities an unfailing subject of mimicry. All these, in his hands, became singularly amusing. Francesca, who had little knowledge, and no envy, of the individuals so relentlessly caricatured, could not help being entertained. While their more intimate friends, whose competitors they were, who had a thousand small jealousies to be gratified, and divers little grudges almost unconsciously treasured up, placed no bounds to their encouragement. Still, it was a mirth that left, as sarcasm always does, its doubt and its depression. Human nature avenges itself by suspicion. First, there comes the internal and unerring whisper, As others have been used, so shall we; and, secondly, we are in our hearts a little ashamed of our own enjoyment,—we feel how contemptible it is, thus to revel in and exult over our neighbour's faults, follies, and misfortunes. Our very selfishness rebukes us. And if the many are thus actuated, what must it have