The life within him was moving with great rapidity.

It was becoming increasingly natural for him to act, simply, without thought, as his inner man bade.

What yesterday was uneasiness, and to-day seemed assurance, was apt by to-morrow to attain convincingness.

It was not that he appeared to value himself too highly.
Instead, he made no attempt at valuation; he went his way like wind or wave.

He took the armchair at the head of the Monticello table with the simplicity of a child, and the bearing of a general who sups with his officers after a victorious field.
The unfolding of the petal was not missed by his companions.