"Only Rochefoucauld's exposition of it," said Eleanor.
"Well, go on. Prove him false."
"But when I have done it by the sun-dial, you will make me wrong by the clock."
"Instance! instance!" said Mr. Carlisle laughing.
"Take this. 'La magnanimité est assez bien définie par son nom même; néanmoins on pourroit dire que c'est le bon sens de l'orgueil, et la voie la plus noble pour recevoir des louanges.' Could anything be further from the truth than that?"
"What is your idea of magnanimity? You do not think 'the good sense of pride' expresses it?"
"It is not a matter of calculation at all; and I do not think it is beholden to anything so low as pride for its origin."
"I am afraid we should not agree in our estimation of pride," said Mr.
Carlisle, amused; "you had better go on to something else. The want of
ambition may indicate a deficiency in that quality—or an excess of it.
Which, Eleanor?"
"Rochefoucauld says, 'La modération est comme la sobriété: on voudroit bien manger davantage, mais on craint de se faire mal.'"
"What have you to say against that?"