d
looked upon him as a man who, however he might conceal his real
opinions, secretly laughed, like Crauford's self, not only at the
established customs, but at the established moralities of the world.
Ill-acquainted with books, the worthy Richard was, like all men
similarly situated, somewhat infected by the very prejudices he affected
to despise; and he shared the vulgar disposition to doubt the hearts
of those who cultivate the head. Glendower himself had confirmed this
opinion by lauding, though he did not entirely subscribe to, those
moralists who have made an enlightened self-interest the proper measure
of all human conduct; and Crauford, utterly unable to comprehend this
system in its grand, naturally interpreted it in a partial, sense.
Espousing self-interest as his own code, he deemed that in reality
Glendower's principles did not differ greatly from his; and, as there
is no pleasure to a hypocrite like that of finding a fit opportunity to
unburden some of his real sentiments, Crauford was occasionally wont
to hold some conference and argument with the student, in which his
opinions were not utterly cloaked in their usual disguise; but cautious
even in his candour, he always forbore stating such opinions as his own:
he merely mentioned them as those which a man beholding the villanies
and follies of his kind, might be tempted to form; and thus Glendower,
though not greatly esteeming his acquaintance, looked upon him as one
ignorant in his opinions, but not likely to err in his conduct.

These conversations did, however, it is true, increase Crauford's
estimate of Glendower's integrity, but they by no means diminished his
confidence of subduing it. Honour, a deep and pure sense of the divinity
of good, the steady desire of rectitude, and the supporting aid of a
sincere religion,--these he did not deny to his intended tool: he rather
rejoiced that he possessed them. With the profound arrogance, the sense
of immeasurable superiority, which men of no principle invariably feel
for those who have it, Crauford said to himself, "Those very virtues
will be my best dupes; they cannot resist the temptations I shall offer;
but they can resist any offer to betray me afterwards; for no man can
resist hunger: but your fine feelings, your nice honour, your precise
religion,--he! he! he!--these can teach a man very well to resist
a common inducement; they cannot make him submit to be his own
executioner; but they can prevent his