In the moments when Dyce Lashmar was neither aware of being observed nor consciously occupied with the pressing problems of his own existence, his face expressed a natural amiability, inclining to pensiveness.

The features were in no way remarkable; they missed the vigour of his father's type without attaining the regularity which had given his mother a claim to good looks.

Such a visage falls to the lot of numberless men born to keep themselves alive and to propagate their insignificance.

But Dyce was not insignificant.

As soon as his countenance lighted with animation, it revealed a character rich in various possibility, a vital force which, by its bright indefiniteness, made some appeal to the imagination.