has a different effect upon Raymond. He is able to contemplate the ideal of

war, while I am sensible only to its realities. He is a soldier, a general.

He can influence the blood-thirsty war-dogs, while I resist their

propensities vainly. The cause is simple. Burke has said that, 'in all

bodies those who would lead, must also, in a considerable degree, follow.'

-I cannot follow; for I do not sympathize in their dreams of massacre and

glory--to follow and to lead in such a career, is the natural bent of

Raymond's mind. He is always successful, and bids fair, at the same time

that he acquires high name and station for himself, to secure liberty,

probably extended empire, to the Greeks."

Perdita's mind was not softened by this account. He, she thought, can be

great and happy without me. Would that I also had a career! Would that I

could freight some untried bark with all my hopes, energies, and desires,

and launch it forth into the ocean of life--bound for some attainable

point, with ambition or pleasure at the helm! But adverse winds detain me

on shore; like Ulysses, I sit at the water's edge and weep. But my

nerveless hands can neither fell the trees, nor smooth the planks. Under

the influence of these melancholy thoughts, she became more than ever in

love with sorrow. Yet Adrian's presence did some good; he at once broke

through the law of silence observed concerning Raymond. At first she

started from the unaccustomed sound; soon she got used to it and to love

it, and she listened with avidity to the account of his achievements. Clara

got rid also of her restraint; Adrian and she had been old playfellows; and

now, as they walked or rode together, he yielded to her earnest entreaty,

and repeated, for the hundredth time, some tale of her father's bravery,

213

The Last Man