On Piers he put the hope of his latter day; and it gladdened him to think that this, his only promising child, was the offspring of the union which he could recall with tenderness.
When Mrs.Otway had withdrawn with her sour dignity, the old man sighed and lost himself in melancholy musing.

The house was, as usual, very still, and from without the only sound was that of the beck, leaping down over its stony ledges.

Jerome loved this sound.

It tuned his thoughts; it saved him from many a fit of ill-humour.

It harmonised with the melody of Dante's verses, fit accompaniment to many a passage of profound feeling, of noble imagery.