With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.

The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
An hour passed, but Robert Turold kept steadily on.

His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.

And Robert's brother and sister knew much of his story by heart.

It had formed the sole theme of his letters to them for many years past.