He rose from his chair and took a turn or two about the room. Yes, he was quite himself, and he patted Carmen's head as he passed and took his seat again. For a moment or two there was silence. Then he said, still as if reflecting:
“Isn't it queer? In that moment of faintness all my life flashed through my mind.”
“It has been a very successful life,” Carmen said, by way of saying something.
“Yes, yes; but I wonder if it was worth while?”
“If I were a man, I should enjoy the power you have, the ability to do what you will.”
“I suppose I do. That is all there is. I like to conquer obstacles, and I like to command. And money; I never did care for money in itself. But there is a fascination in building up a great fortune. It is like conducting a political or a military campaign. Now, I haven't much interest in anything else.”
As he spoke he looked round upon the crowded shelves of his library, and, getting up, went to the corner where there was a shelf of rare editions and took down a volume.
“Do you remember when I got this, Carmen? It was when I was a bachelor. It was rare then. I saw it quoted the other day as worth twice the price I gave for it.”
He replaced it carefully, and walked along the shelves looking at the familiar titles.
“I used to read then. And you read still; you have time.”