Perhaps on this earth there is no good without a little evil.

When my mind was once turned to the acquisition of mental superiority, every petty acquisition I made increased my desire to attain more, and partial emulation soon widened into universal ambition.

We three, Gerald and ourselves, are the keepers of a treasure more valuable than gold,--the treasure of a not ignoble nor sullied name.

For my part, I confess that I am impatient to increase the store of honour which our father bequeathed to us.

Nor is this all: despite our birth, we are poor in the gifts of fortune.