"Then you have settled that matter?" "Oh, certainly; the law is to be my sphere of action--or rather, my stepping-stone to a higher place." "I cannot so easily decide the matter!" "Why not? If you study law, you will rise, inevitably. And in this profession, there is a much broader field of action for a man of talent, than there is in any other profession." "Perhaps you are right. But the difficult question with me is--'Can I be as useful in it?'" "Nonsense, Harvey! Do put away these foolish notions. If you don't, they will be the ruin of you." "I hope not. But if they do, I shall be ruined in a good cause." "I am really afraid, Harvey," Abercrombie said in a serious tone, "that you affect these ultra sentiments, or are self-deceived. It is my opinion that no man can act from such motives as you declare to be yours." "I did not know that I had declared myself governed by such motives. To say that, I know, would be saying too much, for I am painfully conscious of the existence and activity of motives very opposite. But what I mean to say is, that I am so clearly convinced that the motives of which I speak are the true ones, that I will not permit myself to come wholly under the influence of such as are opposite. And that is why I find a difficulty in choosing a profession. If I would permit myself to think only of rising in the world, for the sake of the world's estimation, I should not hesitate long. But I am afraid of confirming what I feel to be evil. And therefore it is that I am resolved to compel myself to choose from purer ends." "Then you are no longer a free agent." "Why not?" "Because, in that kind of compulsion, you cease to act from freedom." "Is it right, James, for us to compel ourselves to do right when we are inclined to do wrong? Certainly there is more freedom in being able to resist evil, than in being bound by it hand and foot, so as to be its passive slave." "You are a strange reasoner, Harvey." "If my conclusions are not rational, controvert them." "And have to talk for ever?" "No doubt you would, James, to drive me from positions that are to me as true as that the sun shines in heaven." "Exactly; and therefore it is useless to argue with you. But, to drop that point of the subject, to what profession do you most incline?" "To law." "Then why not choose it?" "Perhaps I shall. But I wish first to define with myself my own position. I must understand truly upon what ground I stand, or I will not move forward one inch." "Well, you must define your own position for yourself, for I don't see that I can help you much." And there the subject was dropped.