At first it was very difficult to him to do so
at all satisfactorily. The influence of that other interview, from
which he had so recently come, was too strong upon him. All the
images and ideas called up by the Cardinal's words were too
violently at variance, and too incompatible with those other desires
and thoughts to affect him otherwise than as raising additional
obstacles and piling up more and more difficulties in the path
before him. But, as the interview with the courteous and dignified
churchman proceeded,--as the genius loci of the Cardinal's library
began to exert its influence--as all the hopes and ambitions and
prospects which were opened before his eyes, falling into their
natural and proper connection of continuity with all his former
life, so linked the present moment with that past life as to make
all that had filled the last few weeks seem like a fevered dream,--
gradually the Marchese entered more and more into the spirit of the
Cardinal's conversation. Gradually all that he had hitherto lived
for came to seem to him again to be all that was worth living for.
Old habitual thoughts and ideas, the growth and outcome of a whole
life, once again asserted their wonted supremacy; and the Marchese
Lamberto marvelled that it should be possible for that to happen to
him which had happened to him.
Pages:
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406