hobby, as statues may be yours. To effect this object, I see great
changes are necessary: I desire, I work for these great changes. I am not
blind, in the meanwhile, to glory. I desire, on the contrary, to obtain
it! But it would only please me if it came from certain sources. I want
to feel that I may realise what I attempt; and wish for that glory that
comes from the permanent gratitude of my species, not that which springs
from the momentary applause. Now, I am vain, very vain: vanity was, some
years ago, the strongest characteristic of my nature. I do not pretend to
conquer the weakness, but to turn it towards my purposes. I am vain
enough to wish to shine, but the light must come from deeds I think really
worthy."

"Well, well!" said Godolphin, a little interested in spite of himself:
"but ambition of one sort resembles ambition of another, inasmuch as it
involves perpetual harassment and humiliations."

"Not so," answered Radclyffe;--"because when a man is striving for what he
fancies a laudable object, the goodness of his intentions comforts him for
a failure in success, whereas your selfishly ambitious man has no
consolation in his defeats; he is humbled by the external world, and has
no inner world to apply to for consolation."

"Oh, man!" said Godolphin, almost bitterly, "how dost thou eternally
deceive thyself! Here is the thirst for power, and it calls itself the
love of mankind!"

"Believe me," said Radclyffe, so earnestly, and with so deep a meaning in
his grave, bright eye, that Godolphin was staggered from his
scepticism;--"believe me, they may be distinct passions, and yet can be
united."