Though once the expression of a living faith, these were now for him mere lifeless formulas.

Nor has he any new dogmatic creed to offer in their place.

That mystical crisis which had broken the spell of the Everlasting No was in a strict sense--he uses the word himself--a conversion.

But it was not a conversion in the theological sense, for it did not involve the acceptance of any specific articles of faith.

It was simply a complete change of front; the protest of his whole nature, in a suddenly aroused mood of indignation and defiance, against the "spirit which denies;" the assertion of his manhood against the cowardice which had so long kept him trembling and whimpering before the facts of existence.