that way while he went on speaking.
    »But I'm proof against that word failure. I've seen behind it. The only
failure a man ought to fear is failure in cleaving to the purpose he sees to be
best. As to just the amount of result he may see from his particular work -
that's a tremendous uncertainty: the universe has not been arranged for the
gratification of his feelings. As long as a man sees and believes in some great
good, he'll prefer working towards that in the way he's best fit for, come what
may. I put effects at their minimum, but I'd rather have the minimum of effect,
if it's of the sort I care for, than the maximum of effect I don't care for - a
lot of fine things that are not to my taste - and if they were, the conditions
of holding them while the world is what it is, are such as would jar on me like
grating metal.«
    »Yes,« said Esther, in a low tone, »I think I understand that now, better
than I used to do.« The words of Felix at last seemed strangely to fit her own
experience. But she said no more, though he seemed to wait for it a moment or
two, looking at her. But then he went on -
    »I don't mean to be illustrious, you know, and make a new era, else it would
be kind of you to get a raven and teach it to croak failure in my ears. Where
great things can't happen, I care for very small things, such as will never be
known beyond a few garrets and workshops. And then, as to one thing I believe
in, I don't think I can altogether fail. If there's anything our people want
convincing of, it is, that there's some dignity and happiness for a man other
than changing his station. That's one of the beliefs I choose to consecrate my
life to. If anybody could demonstrate to me that I was a flat for it, I
shouldn't think it would follow that I must borrow money to set up genteelly and
order new clothes. That's not a rigorous consequence to my understanding.«
    They smiled at each other, with the old sense of amusement they had so often
had together.
    »You are just the same,« said Esther.
    »And you?« said Felix. »My affairs have been settled long ago. But