He retired more and more within himself for company; his keen eye began to lose in some degree its extraordinary fire, his expression to forget its magnetic attractiveness.

Indeed, it was only young men of scientific tastes that Sebastian could ever attract.

Among them, his eager zeal, his single-minded devotion to the cause of science, awoke always a responsive chord which vibrated powerfully.
Day after day passed, and we steamed through the Straits and neared the Channel.

Our thoughts began to assume a home complexion.

Everybody was full of schemes as to what he would do when he reached England.