ends? And I blamed myself for having ever sought to be a leader

when I might have given my days to love. But then, thought I, if

I had not spent my early days sternly and austerely, I might have

wasted myself upon vain and worthless women, and at the thought all

my being went out in love and tenderness to my dear mistress, my

dear lady, who had come at last and compelled me--compelled me by

her invincible charm for me--to lay that life aside.

'You are worth it,' I said, speaking without intending her to

hear; 'you are worth it, my dearest one; worth pride and praise and

all things. Love! to have you is worth them all together." And at

the murmur of my voice she turned about.

'Come and see,' she cried--I can hear her now--'come and see

the sunrise upon Monte Solaro.'

I remember how I sprang to my feet and joined her at the

balcony. She put a white hand upon my shoulder and pointed towards

great masses of limestone, flushing, as it were, into life. I

looked. But first I noted the sunlight on her face caressing the

lines of her cheeks and neck. How can I describe to you the scene

we had before us? We were at Capri--"

"I have been there," I said. "I have clambered up Monte

Solaro and drunk vero Capri--muddy stuff like cider--at the

summit."

The Door in the Wall And Other Stories