'Call me what you will, my dear lord,' said the good Bishop, whose
heart was moved; 'I can never forget old days.'
'Believe me, then,' continued Cadurcis, 'that you misjudge me in
respect of Venetia. I feel assured that, had we married three years
ago, I should have been a much happier man.'
'Why, you have everything to make you happy,' said the Bishop; 'if you
are not happy, who should be? You are young, and you are famous: all
that is now wanted is to be wise.'
Lord Cadurcis shrugged his shoulders. I am tired of this life,' he
said; 'I am wearied of the same hollow bustle, and the same false
glitter day after day. Ah! my dear friend, when I remember the happy
hours when I used to roam through the woods of Cherbury with Venetia,
and ramble in that delicious park, both young, both innocent, lit by
the sunset and guided by the stars; and then remember that it has all
ended in this, and that this is success, glory, fame, or whatever be
the proper title to baptize the bubble, the burthen of existence is
too great for me.'
'Hush, hush!' said his friend, rising from the sofa; 'you will be
happy if you be wise.'
'But what is wisdom?' said Lord Cadurcis.
'One quality of it, in your situation, my lord, is to keep your head
as calm as you can.
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