"I have talked great nonsense,--I scarcely know why--perhaps to try and find where the sense really lay.

I have dreamed so many dreams, so long, that I sometimes think I am morbid.

All artists are morbid, I suppose.

It is better to do anything active than to lose one's self in the slums of a sickly imagination." "I agree with you," answered the Cardinal; "but I do not think you suffered from a sickly imagination,--I should rather call it abundant than sickly.

Frankly, I should be sorry to think that in following this new idea you were in any way injuring the great career which, I am sure, is before you; but, on the other hand, I cannot help wishing that a greater number of young men would follow your example." "Your Eminence approves, then ?" "Do you think you will make a good soldier ?" "Other artists have been good soldiers.