But along with all this knowledge he carried one definite and important piece of ignorance, an ignorance of the degree to which such knowledge was exceptional.

He was no spoilt and self-conscious child, taught to regard himself as clever.

In the atmosphere in which he lived learning was a pleasure, and a natural pleasure, like sport or wine.

He had in it the pleasure of some old scholar of the Renascence, when grammar itself was as fresh as the flowers of spring.

He had no reason to suppose that every one did not join in so admirable a game.
His sagacious destiny, while giving him knowledge of everything else, left him in ignorance of the ignorance of the world.
Of his boyish days scarcely any important trace remains, except a kind of diary which contains under one date the laconic statement, "Married two wives this morning." The insane ingenuity of the biographer would be quite capable of seeing in this a most suggestive foreshadowing of the sexual dualism which is so ably defended in _Fifine at the Fair_.
A great part of his childhood was passed in the society of his only sister Sariana; and it is a curious and touching fact that with her also he passed his last days.