Come and say whether or no your heart, and the self-love of which it is full, have made you a malicious man.

I do not ask if you are always and to everybody full of maliciousness.

No; I know quite well that you are sometimes as sweet as honey and as soft as butter.

For, has not even Theophilus said that whilst a man still lives among the vanities of time, his covetousness, his envy, his pride, and his wrath may be in a tolerable state, and may help him to a mixture of peace and trouble; these vices may have their gratifications as well as their torments.

No; I do not trifle with you and with this serious matter so as to ask if you are full of malice at all times and to all men.