She could not be princess by wealth or standing.

So she was mad to have learning whereon to pride herself.

For she was different from other folk, and must not be scooped up among the common fry.

Learning was the only distinction to which she thought to aspire.
Her beauty--that of a shy, wild, quiveringly sensitive thing--seemed nothing to her.

Even her soul, so strong for rhapsody, was not enough.
She must have something to reinforce her pride, because she felt different from other people.