THE SHADOW LINE

A CONFESSION

By Joseph Conrad



"Worthy of my undying regard"



To Borys And All Others Who,
Like Himself, Have Crossed In Early Youth
The Shadow Line Of Their Generation With Love





PART ONE


--_D'autre fois, calme plat, grand miroir De mon desespoir_.
--BAUDELAIRE


I

Only the young have such moments. I don't mean the very young. No. The