Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/174

 postor in deceiving others. Yet I do not think that the source of that intriguing disposition, so common among all classes of men, springs from the depravity of human-nature, I rather would attribute it to the pleasure every one feels, when he can prove the superior powers of his genius, which is the head spring that animates us as well to good as to bad actions, and, if guided by a benevolent heart, and good principles, raises us above the common herd, and leads us to honor and glory."

As I rose and was going to leave the prison Volkert squeezed my hand, and said, with a faltering voice,

"To-morrow at this hour I shall be no more; to-morrow, at this hour I shall have seen the Supreme Judge of human kind: I shudder when I think that I must appear before his awful throne; yet there is still one consolation supporting me, one conso-