times in the varying tide
of life, are these two rulers yet levellers of mankind, Hope and Custom,
that the very idea of an eternal punishment includes that of an utter
alteration of the whole mechanism of the soul in its human state, and
no effort of an imagination, assisted by past experience, can conceive
a state of torture which custom can never blunt, and from which the
chainless and immaterial spirit can never be beguiled into even a
momentary escape.

Among the very few persons admitted to Aram's solitude, was Lord--That
nobleman was staying, on a visit, with a relation of his in the
neighbourhood, and he seized with an excited and mournful avidity, the
opportunity thus afforded him of seeing, once more, a character that had
so often forced itself on his speculation and surprise. He came to offer
not condolence, but respect; services, at such a moment, no individual
could render,--he gave however, what was within his power--advice,--and
pointed out to Aram the best counsel to engage, and the best method of
previous inquiry into particulars yet unexplored. He was astonished to
find Aram indifferent on these points, so important. The prisoner,
it would seem, had even then resolved on being his own counsel, and
conducting his own cause; the event proved that he did not rely in vain
on the power of his own eloquence and sagacity, though he might on their
result. As to the rest, he spoke with impatience, and the petulance of
a wronged man. "For the idle rumours of the world, I do not care," said
he, "let them condemn or acquit me as they will;--for my life, I might
be willing indeed, that it were spared,--I trust it may be, if not, I
can stand face to face with Death. I have now looked on him within these
walls long enough to have grown familiar with his terrors. But enough of
me; tell me, my Lord, something of the world without, I have grown eager
about it at last. I have been now so condemned to feed upon myself,
that I have become surfeited with the diet;"--and it was with great
difficulty that the Earl drew Aram back to speak of himself: he did so,
even when compelled to it, with so much qualification and reserve,
mixed with some evident anger at the thought of being sifted and
examined--that his visitor was forced finally to drop the subject,
and not liking, nor indeed able, at such a time, to converse on more
indifferent themes, the last interview he ever had with Aram terminated
much more abruptly than he had m