Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/305

Rh. "A glory had vanished from the earth," as glories can vanish only in youth. The good faith of Mr. Delawarr had made respectable in his eyes even the very points on which they differed. And now all human nature was lowered in the conduct of one individual. None are so disinterested as the thoughtless and absorbed. Edward lost all consideration of himself, while dwelling on his brother's weakness and Mr. Delawarr's recantation. But—and we note this as a proof of a well-constituted mind—though he almost doubted the existence of truth in this world, he never doubted its excellence. Mr. Delawarr, it must be confessed, took the matter much more coolly. Habits are the petrifactions of the feelings, and his habits were those of business. A resolution is never shaken by a conviction. He had wilfully blinded himself to the subtle spirit of self-aggrandisement which urged his conduct. He saw the need of instant action, and took refuge in that common resource of the destitute, a well-sounding phrase. At such an important crisis he had no time to weigh nice scruples or fantastical definitions of honour. Conscience always acts on the conciliatory system. Mr. Delawarr was vexed at