But so it is; the eras in life are separated by a narrow boundary,--some trifling accident, some casual _rencontre_ impels us across the Rubicon, and we pass from infancy to youth, from youth to manhood, from manhood to age, less by the slow and imperceptible step of time than by some one decisive act or passion which, occurring at a critical moment, elicits a long latent feeling, and impresses our existence with a color that tinges us for many a long year.

As for me, I had cut the tie which bound me to the careless gayety of boyhood with a rude gash.

In three short days I had fallen deeply, desperately in love, and had wounded, if not killed, an antagonist in a duel.

As I meditated on these things, I was aroused by the noise of horses' feet in the yard beneath.

I opened the window and beheld no less a person than Captain Hammersley.