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what was taking place. As to Barkilphedro, he was joyful--a circumstance
which gave a lugubrious expression to his face. If there be one thing in
the world which can be more hideous than another, 'tis joy.
He had had the delight of being the first to taste the contents of
Hardquanonne's flask. He seemed but little surprised, for astonishment
is the attribute of a little mind. Besides, was it not all due to him,
who had waited so long on duty at the gate of chance? Knowing how to
wait, he had fairly won his reward.
This nil admirari was an expression of face. At heart we may admit
that he was very much astonished. Any one who could have lifted the mask
with which he covered his inmost heart even before God would have
discovered this: that at the very time Barkilphedro had begun to feel
finally convinced that it would be impossible--even to him, the intimate
and most infinitesimal enemy of Josiana--to find a vulnerable point in
her lofty life. Hence an access of savage animosity lurked in his mind.
He had reached the paroxysm which is called discouragement. He was all
the more furious, because despairing. To gnaw one's chain--how tragic
and appropriate the expression! A villain gnawing at his own
powerlessness!
Barkilphedro was perhaps just on the point of renouncing not his desire
to do evil to Josiana, but his hope of doing it; not the rage, but the
effort. But how degrading to be thus baffled! To keep hate thenceforth
in a case, like a dagger in a museum! How bitter the humiliation!
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