Parents with marriageable daughters invited me frequently to their houses, but these invitations I generally refused.

My best books warned me against feminine society--and I believed and accepted the warning.

This tendency of mine exposed me to the ridicule of those among my companions who were amorously inclined, but their gay jests at what they termed my "weakness" never affected me.

I trusted in friendship rather than love, and I had a friend--one for whom at that time I would gladly have laid down my life--one who inspired me with the most profound attachment.

He, Guido Ferrari, also joined occasionally with others in the good-natured mockery I brought down upon myself by my shrinking dislike of women.
"Fie on thee, Fabio!" he would cry.