Now that he knew whither his desires and his abilities tended, he was harassed by consciousness of imperfect equipment.

Even academically he had not distinguished himself; he had made no attempt at journalism; he had not brought himself into useful contact with any political group.

All he could claim for encouragement was a personal something which drew attention, especially the attention of women, in circles of the liberal-minded--that is to say, among people fond of talking more or less vaguely about very large subjects.

For talk he never found himself at a loss, and his faculty in this direction certainly grew.

But as yet he had not discovered the sphere which was wholly sympathetic and at the same time fertile of opportunity.
Among the many possibilities of life which lie before a young and intelligent man, one never presented itself to Dyce Lashmar's meditation.