In his life in the hills he had found a little brightness, while in the old mountaineer's words that evening, he had glimpsed a future happiness, of which he had scarcely dared to dream.

With the single exception of that one wild night, his life had been an unbroken calm.

Now he was to leave it all.

And for what?
He seemed to hear the rush and roar of the world beyond the ridges, as one in a quiet harbor hears outside the thunder of the stormy sea.

He shuddered.