“But,” said the Earl astonished, “you cannot foresee all the advantages you would renounce. At your age--with your intellect--to choose the living sepulchre of a hermitage--it was wise to reconcile yourself to it, but not to prefer it! Nay, nay; consider--pause. I am in no haste for your decision; and what advantages have you in your retreat, that you will not possess in a greater degree with me? Quiet?--I pledge it to you under my roof. Solitude?--you shall have it at your will. Books?--what are those which you, which any individual possesses, to the public institutions, the magnificent collections, of the metropolis? What else is it you enjoy yonder, and cannot enjoy with me?”
“Liberty!” said Aram energetically.--“Liberty! the wild sense of independence. Could I exchange the lonely stars and the free air, for the poor lights and feverish atmosphere of worldly life? Could I surrender my mood, with its thousand eccentricities and humours--its cloud and shadow--to the eyes of strangers, or veil it from their gaze by the irksomeness of an eternal hypocrisy? No, my Lord! I am too old to turn disciple to the world! You promise me solitude and quiet. What charm would they have for me, if I felt they were held from the generosity of another? The attraction of solitude is only in its independence. You offer me the circle, but not the magic which made it holy. Books! They, years since, would have tempted me; but those whose wisdom I have already drained, have taught me now almost enough: and the two Books, whose interest can never be exhausted--Nature and my own Heart--will suffice for the rest of life. My Lord, I require no time for consideration.”
The Earl walked peevishly away for one moment; but it was not in his nature to lose himself for more.
“Mr. Aram,” said he frankly, and holding out his hand; “you have chosen nobly, if not wisely; and though I cannot forgive you for depriving me of such a companion, I thank you for teaching me such a lesson. Henceforth, I will believe, that philosophy may exist in practice; and that a contempt for wealth and for honours, is not the mere profession of discontent. This is the first time, in a various and experienced life, that I have found a man sincerely deaf to the temptations of the world,--and that man of such endowments! If ever you see cause to alter a theory that I still think erroneous, though lofty--remember me; and at all times, and on all occasions,” he added, with a smile, “when a friend becomes a necessary evil, call to mind our starlit walk on the castle terrace.”