Percy's evident irritation and the reproaches of my own conscience added not a little to my uncomfortable feelings, as you may suppose.

I looked back to what I had been at Oakwood, and the contrast of my past and present self really gave me much cause for misery.

It was just before my brothers returned to college I wrote to you a long, very long letter, in which I gave more than enough vent to my silly, I should say sinful feelings.

Several hours I had employed in its composition, and to obtain these, neglected my exercises, etc, for my masters, and caused more than one for several days to make a formal complaint of my indolence and carelessness to Miss Harcourt.

Her remonstrances, I am ashamed to confess, only had the effect of increasing my ill-temper.