Five minutes before noon
and the worst fear , -- fear of the world 's opinion ; fear of the Nicots and the Mervales ; fear of thine own impulses when most generous ; fear of thine own powers when thy genius is most bold ; fear that virtue is not eternal ; fear that God does not live in heaven to keep watch on earth ; fear , the fear of little men ; and that fear is never known to the great . '' With these words Zanoni abruptly left the artist , humbled , bewildered , and not convinced . He remained alone with his thoughts till he was aroused by the striking of the clock ; he then suddenly remembered Zanoni 's prediction of the Cardinal 's death ; and , seized with an intense desire to learn its truth , he hurried into the streets , -- he gained the Cardinal 's palace . Five minutes before noon his Eminence had expired , after an illness of less than an hour . Zanoni 's visit had occupied more time than the illness of the Cardinal . Awed and perplexed , he turned from the palace , and as he walked through the Chiaja , he saw Jean Nicot emerge from the portals of the Prince di -- . Two loves I have of comfort and despair , Which like two spirits do suggest me still .