borders; which I am afraid has been my case.' He looked into the
far distance and paused.

Adherence to a course with persistence sufficient to ensure success
is possible to widely appreciative minds only when there is also
found in them a power--commonplace in its nature, but rare in such
combination--the power of assuming to conviction that in the
outlying paths which appear so much more brilliant than their own,
there are bitternesses equally great--unperceived simply on account
of their remoteness.



They were opposite Ringsworth Shore. The cliffs here were formed of
strata completely contrasting with those of the further side of the
Bay, whilst in and beneath the water hard boulders had taken the
place of sand and shingle, between which, however, the sea glided
noiselessly, without breaking the crest of a single wave, so
strikingly calm was the air. The breeze had entirely died away,
leaving the water of that rare glassy smoothness which is unmarked
even by the small dimples of the least aerial movement. Purples and
blues of divers shades were reflected from this mirror accordingly
as each undulation sloped east or west. They could see the rocky
bottom some twenty feet beneath them, luxuriant with weeds of
various growths, and dotted with pulpy creatures reflecting a
silvery and spangled radiance upwards to their eyes.

At length she looked at him to learn the effect of her words of
encouragement. He had let the oars drift alongside, and the boat
had come to a standstill. Everything on earth seemed taking a