He altogether doubted his own powers to perform satisfactorily the task before him.

He knew men who could do it.

His brother Jack would do it, were it possible that his brother Jack should be in such a position.

But for himself, he was conscious of a softness of heart, a feminine tenderness, which,--to do him justice,--he did not mistake for sincerity, that rendered him unfit for the task before him.

The farther he journeyed from Scroope and the nearer that he found himself to the cliffs the stronger did the feeling grow within him, till it had become almost tragical in its dominion over him.