In our
greed to collect the means of enjoyment, surely we lose the power to
enjoy?"
"Pshaw! that is the cant of fools, of those who do not know, of those
who cannot feel. But I know and I feel, and I tell you that it is not
so. The collection of those means is in itself a pleasure, because it
gives a consciousness of power. Don't talk to me of Fate; that
sovereign" (throwing the coin on to the table) "is Fate's own seal.
You see me, for instance, apparently poor and helpless, a social
pariah, one to be avoided, and even insulted. Good; before long these
will right all that for me. I shall by their help be powerful and
courted yet. Ay, believe me, Heigham, money is a living moving force;
leave it still, and it accumulates; expend it, and it gratifies every
wish; save it, and that is best of all, and you hold in your hand a
lever that will lift the world. I tell you that there is no height to
which it cannot bring you, no gulf it will not bridge you."
"Except," soliloquized Arthur, "the cliffs of the Hereafter, and--the
grave."
His words produced a curious effect. Philip's eloquence broke off
short, and for a moment a great fear crept into his eyes.
Pages:
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313