I was always in a fever; everything was exaggerated to me.
What was going to be my future ?--I kept asking myself.

Was it only to be hard work, miserably paid, till I died?
And I should die at last without having known what it was to enjoy my life.

When I was allowed to go out--it was very seldom--I walked aimlessly about the streets, watching all the girls I passed, and fancying they all looked so happy, all enjoying their life so.

I was growing thin and pale.

I coughed, and began to think I was consumptive.