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THE RED AND THE BLACK
second one is devoid of merit, I must find out the why and the wherefore. But these laborious researches are for to-morrow."
Standing up on his great rock, Julien looked at the sky which was all afire with an August sun. The grasshoppers sang in the field about the rock; when they held their peace there was universal silence around him. He saw twenty leagues of country at his feet. He noticed from time to time some hawk, which launching off from the great rocks over his head was describing in silence its immense circles. Julien's eye followed the bird of prey mechanically. Its tranquil powerful movements struck him. He envied that strength, that isolation.
"Would Napoleon's destiny be one day his?"
