He came from the Rhine, and was the son of a rich merchant, into whose business he should have gone.
However, when he was twenty-six he boldly told his father that the world outside was of deeper and wider interest to him than account books.

The father died, and Dorfling hastened to put the business into liquidation, and devote himself to philosophical studies.

For a year he drifted from one school to another, sitting at the feet of the most celebrated teachers and plunging himself into their systems.

In the autumn of 1872 he appeared suddenly in Berlin, and renewed his old acquaintance with Wilhelm.

Since then he had become a frequent guest at Dr.Schrotter's dinner table, and a companion to Wilhelm, in his afternoon walks.
Dorfling was the most wonderful listener that any one could wish to have, though he himself was rather silent.