There was everything there except the force to accomplish, the initiative which oversteps the bank of words, threats, and angry thoughts, and plunges boldly into the stream, ready to sacrifice itself to lead others.

The look of power, of stern determination, which is never absent from the faces of men who change their times, was not visible in the thin dark countenance of the silver-chiseller.

Marzio was destined never to rise above the common howling mob which he aspired to lead.
This fact asserted itself outwardly as he sat there.

After a few minutes the features relaxed, a smile that was almost weak--the smile that shows that a man lacks absolute confidence--passed quickly over his face, the light in his eyes went out, and he rose from his stool with a short, dissatisfied sigh, which was repeated once or twice as he put away his work and arranged his tools.

He made the rounds of the workshop, looked to the fastenings of the windows, lighted a taper, and then extinguished the lamp.