He asked himself with aching heart what was to be the outcome of it all?
He had failed.

What then?
It was not until that moment that he realized how strongly he had been buoyed up by the false optimism of hope.

His consciousness, as though directed by the power of a devil, was forced to look for the first time upon the hideous inevitability of the appointed end.
"No, no! Not that--not that," he shudderingly whispered to himself.
Neither moved.

The minutes passed leaden-footed.

It was silent and still in that wild spot, as if theirs were the only two human hearts beating in a dead world.