. Thus engaged, whatever be our errors, there will be nobility, not
weakness, in our remorse; whatever our failure, virtue, not selfishness,
in our regret; and, in success, vanity itself will become holy and
triumph eternal. As astrologers were wont to receive upon metals 'the
benign aspect of the stars, so as to detain and fix, as it were, the
felicity of that hour which would otherwise be volatile and fugitive,'
[Bacon] even so will that success leave imprinted upon our memory a
blessing which cannot pass away; preserve forever upon our names, as on
a signet, the hallowed influence of the hour in which our great end was
effected, and treasure up 'the relics of heaven' in the sanctuary of a
human fane."

As the old man ceased, there was a faint and hectic flush over his face,
an enthusiasm on his features, which age made almost holy, and which
Clarence had never observed there before. In truth, his young listener
was deeply affected, and the advice of his adopted parent was afterwards
impressed with a more awful solemnity upon his remembrance. Already he
had acquired much worldly lore from Talbot's precepts and conversation.
He had obtained even something better than worldly lore,--a kindly and
indulgent disposition to his fellow-creatures; for he had seen that
foibles were not inconsistent with generous and great qualities, and
that we judge wrongly of human nature when we ridicule its littleness.
The very circumstances which make the shallow misanthropical incline the
wise to be benevolent. Fools discover that frailty is not incompatible
with great men; they wonder and despise: but the discerning find that
greatness is not incompatible with frailty; and they admire and indulge.

But a still greater benefit than this of toleration did Clarence derive
from the commune of that night. He became strengthened in his honourable
ambition and nerved to unrelaxing exertion. The recollection of Talbot's
last words, on that night, occurred to him often and often, when sick at
heart and languid with baffled hope, it roused him from that gloom and
despondency which are always unfavourable to virtue, and incited him
once more to that labour in the vineyard which, whether our hour be late
or early, will if earnest obtain a blessing and reward.

The hour was now waxing late; and Talbot, mindful of his companion's
health, rose to retire. As he pressed Clarence's hand and bade him
farewell for the night, Linden thought there was somet