He had foolishly neglected his opportunity to escape, and the mountains became each moment more beautiful as they swiftly receded into unattainable distance.

He had expected to be riding back into the safe and splendid plains country, back to friends and familiar things, and had trusted to the joy of his return to soften the despair of his second failure to take Mary back with him.
It was a sorrowful thing to see the young eagle in somber dream, the man of unhesitating action becoming introspective.

Floods of intent business men, gay young girls, and grizzled old farmers in groups of twos and threes, streamed by, dimly shadowed in his reflective eyes.

All these people had purpose and reward in their lives; he alone was a stray, a tramp, with no one but old Kintuck to draw him to any particular spot or keep him there.
"I am outside of everything," he bitterly thought.

"There is nothing for me." Yes, there was Cora and there was little Pink--and then he thought of Mrs.Raimon, whose wealth and serenity of temper had a greater appeal than ever before.