The errors of his youth,
committed in his prosperity with moral impunity, reacted upon him in his
adversity with an influence fatal to his future peace. His repentance
was darkened by despondency; his resolutions were unbrightened by hope.
He flew to religion as the suicide flies to the knife--in despair.
Leaving all remaining peculiarities in Numerian's character to be
discussed at a future opportunity, we will now follow him in his passage
through the crowd, to the entrance of the basilica--continuing to
designate him, here and elsewhere, by the name which he had assumed on
his conversion, and by which he had insisted on being addressed during
his interview with the fugitive landholder.
Although at the commencement of his progress towards the church, our
enthusiast found himself placed among the hindermost of the members of
the advancing throng, he soon contrived so thoroughly to outstrip his
dilatory and discursive neighbours as to gain, with little delay, the
steps of the sacred building. Here, in common with many others, he was
compelled to stop, while those nearest the basilica squeezed their way
through its stately doors.
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