Page 282 of 1294

He wondered every time at his sombre and enigmatic impression

and, mistrusting himself, put off finding the explanation of it.

He vividly recalled those old doubts and perplexities, and it

seemed to him that it was no mere chance that he recalled them

now. It struck him as strange and grotesque, that he should have

stopped at the same spot as before, as though he actually

imagined he could think the same thoughts, be interested in the

same theories and pictures that had interested him... so short a

time ago. He felt it almost amusing, and yet it wrung his heart.

Deep down, hidden far away out of sight all that seemed to him

now--all his old past, his old thoughts, his old problems and

theories, his old impressions and that picture and himself and

all, all.... He felt as though he were flying upwards, and

everything were vanishing from his sight. Making an unconscious

movement with his hand, he suddenly became aware of the piece of

money in his fist.