through you and past you, at a fascination, a ghost of fixed
purposes that haunts him, from which neither reason nor pity will
turn him. I have seen such an eye in men possessed--with devils, or
with self: sleek, passionless men, who are too refined to be manly,
and measure their grace by their effeminacy; crooked vermin, who
swarm up in pious times, being drowned out of their earthly haunts
by the spring-tide of religion; and so making a gain of godliness,
swim upon the first of the flood, till it cast them ashore on the
firm beach of wealth and station. I always mistrust those wall-eyed
saints.

Lewis. Beware, Sir Count; your keen and worldly wit
Is good for worldly uses, not to tilt
Withal at holy men and holy things.
He pleases well the spiritual sense
Of my most peerless lady, whose discernment
Is still the touchstone of my grosser fancy:
He is her friend, and mine: and you must love him
Even for our sakes alone, [to a bystander] A word with you, sir.

[In the meantime Elizabeth and Conrad are talking together.]

Eliz. I would be taught--

Con. It seems you claim some knowledge,
By choosing thus your teacher.

Eliz. I would know more--

Con. Go then to the schools--and be no wiser, madam;