Such a book he could write in his own way, independent of every one.

The biographer of Carlyle, on the other hand, would be involved in numerous difficulties, could hardly avoid giving offence, and must sacrifice years of his life to employment more onerous, as well as less lucrative, than writing a History of his own.

Carlyle, however, was persistent, and Froude yielded.

After Mrs.Carlyle's death they had met constantly, and the older man relied upon the younger as upon a son.
Froude sat down before the mass of documents in the spirit which had encountered the manuscripts of Simancas.

No help was accorded him.
He had to spell out the narrative for himself.