However, such as the drawing is, it is sufficient to demonstrate my
theory. Do you follow me?"

Hermann nodded affirmatively. He was greatly pained. In lieu of the
friend of his youth, for whom he had hoped a brilliant future, here
was a poor monomaniac!

"You see," said Warren, speaking collectedly, like a professor, "if
I raise my pendulum till it reaches the point of Moderate Desires
and then let it go, it will naturally swing to the point of Slight
Troubles, and go no further. Then it will oscillate for some time in
a more and more limited space on the line of Indifference, and
finally it will stand still without any jerk on Dead Stop, Absolute
Repose. That is a great consolation!"

He paused, as if waiting for some remark from Hermann; but as the
latter remained silent, Warren resumed his demonstration.

"You understand now, I suppose, what I am coming to. If I raise the
pendulum to the point of Ambition or Mania of Greatness, and then
let it go, that same law which I have already applied will drive it
to Deep Sorrow or Despair. That is quite clear, is it not?"

"Quite clear," repeated Hermann sadly.

"Very well," continued Warren, with perfect gravity; "for my
misfortune, I discovered this fine theory rather late. I had not set
bounds to my dreams and limited them to trifles. I had wished to be
President of the Republic, an illustrious savant, the husband of
Ellen. No great things, eh? What say you to my modesty? I had raised