If there are great splendours, there are corresponding horrors; heights and depths; beautiful women and awful fiends; noble men and weaklings.

All a man has to do, is to better what he can.

And if he will settle it with himself, that even renown and success are in themselves of no great value, and be content to be defeated, if so be that the fault is not his; and so go to his work with a cool brain and a strong will, he will get it done; and fare none the worse in the end, that he was not burdened with provision and precaution." "But he will not always come off well," I ventured to say.
"Perhaps not," rejoined the knight, "in the individual act; but the result of his lifetime will content him." "So it will fare with you, doubtless," thought I; "but for me---" Venturing to resume the conversation after a pause, I said, hesitatingly: "May I ask for what the little beggar-girl wanted your aid, when she came to your castle to find you ?" He looked at me for a moment in silence, and then said-- "I cannot help wondering how you know of that; but there is something about you quite strange enough to entitle you to the privilege of the country; namely, to go unquestioned.

I, however, being only a man, such as you see me, am ready to tell you anything you like to ask me, as far as I can.

The little beggar-girl came into the hall where I was sitting, and told me a very curious story, which I can only recollect very vaguely, it was so peculiar.