And, strangely
enough, this merging of his individuality into a whole, as a crystal of
sugar dissolves in water, awakened neither discomfort nor regret. On
the contrary, it was an unknown delight, which pervaded his whole frame
and sent a little shiver of pleasure down his spine. He felt himself a
very small personage, and yet, at the same time, a very great one, who
had far outstripped the bounds of his individuality. It seemed as
though he was borne helplessly on by a mighty power, and the thought
entered his mind that Ganymede must have had similar sensations when he
flew heavenward between the rustling pinions of the eagle. He was now
experiencing the deep and mighty emotion for which he had always
longed, and he had obtained it by emerging from his selfish seclusion
and finding a point of connection with all mankind.
The regiment went down the slope at a walk, describing a wide curve,
partly to make the descent more easily, partly to avoid the dead and
wounded lying in heaps upon the ground at the bottom of the declivity.
Now the horses climbed the other side in a slanting line and reached
the meadow beyond.
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