'My object-glass broken!'

'Is it of much value?'

'It cost all I possess!'

He ran round by the steps to the lower lawn, Lady Constantine
following, as he continued, 'It is a magnificent eight-inch first
quality object lens! I took advantage of my journey to London to
get it! I have been six weeks making the tube of milled board; and
as I had not enough money by twelve pounds for the lens, I borrowed
it of my grandmother out of her last annuity payment. What can be,
can be done!'

'Perhaps it is not broken.'

He felt on the ground, found the parcel, and shook it. A clicking
noise issued from inside. Swithin smote his forehead with his hand,
and walked up and down like a mad fellow.

'My telescope! I have waited nine months for this lens. Now the
possibility of setting up a really powerful instrument is over! It
is too cruel--how could it happen!. . . Lady Constantine, I am
ashamed of myself,--before you. Oh, but, Lady Constantine, if you
only knew what it is to a person engaged in science to have the
means of clinching a theory snatched away at the last moment! It is
I against the world; and when the world has accidents on its side in
addition to its natural strength, what chance for me!'