I began to get glimpses of a profound ignorance, and did not like the position as an outside consideration.

These mental productive adversities abased me.

I was well enough in my way, but nothing was expected from me in their way, and when I beheld their ardor in composition, and its fine emulation, like "a sheep before her shearers," I was dumb.

The environment pressed upon me, my pride was touched; my situation, though "tolerable, was not to be endured." Fortunate or not, we were poor.

It was not strange that I should marry, said those who knew the step I had taken; but that I should follow that old idyl; and accept the destiny of a garret and a crust with a poet, was incredible! Therefore, being apart from the diversions of society, I had many idle hours.