From the looks and manner of this young abbe he might have been supposed to have foreseen his destiny, and that he was born to be unhappy.
His disposition did not belie his physiognomy: full of patience and complaisance, he rather appeared to study with than to instruct me.
So much was not necessary to make me love him, his predecessor having rendered that very easy; yet, notwithstanding all the time he bestowed on me, notwithstanding our mutual good inclinations, and that his plan of teaching was excellent, with much labor, I made little progress.

It is very singular, that with a clear conception I could never learn much from masters except my father and M.Lambercier; the little I know besides I have learned alone, as will be seen hereafter.

My spirit, impatient of every species of constraint, cannot submit to the law of the moment; even the fear of not learning prevents my being attentive, and a dread of wearying those who teach, makes me feign to understand them; thus they proceed faster than I can comprehend, and the conclusion is I learn nothing.

My understanding must take its own time and cannot submit to that of another.
The time of ordination being arrived, M.Gatier returned to his province as deacon, leaving me with gratitude, attachment, and sorrow for his loss.

The vows I made for him were no more answered than those I offered for myself.