Lane put forth his intelligence, his courage, his spirit--all in vain.

The onslaught of gloom and anguish was irresistible.

Then thought of Mel Iden sustained him--held back this madness for the moment.
Every hour he lived made her dearer, yet farther away.

It was the unattainableness of her, the impossibility of a fruition of love that slowly and surely removed her.

On the other hand, the image of her sweet face, of her form, of her beauty, of her movements--every recall of these physical things enhanced her charm, and his love.