A heavy surf thundered and burst over an outjutting rock; lowering storm-clouds covered the sky; and, outside the line of surf, a pilot-schooner, close-hauled, heeled over till every detail of her deck was visible, was surging along against a stormy sunset sky.

There was beauty, and it drew him irresistibly.

He forgot his awkward walk and came closer to the painting, very close.

The beauty faded out of the canvas.

His face expressed his bepuzzlement.