He wondered if the Alps could be higher or more beautiful.

A line he had been explaining the day before to his scholars recurred to him: "Beyond those mountains lies Italy." Gradually it came to him that he was duller than his scholars.

Those who were the true leaders of men surmounted difficulties.

Others had crossed the mountains to find the Italy of their ambition.

Why should not he?
The thought strung him up sharply, and before he knew it he was standing upright, his face lifted to the sky, his nerves tense, his pulses beating, and his breath coming quickly.