He possessed no goods or chattels not stowed away in his garret chamber.

He owed no man anything; he was not even a regular professor, tied to his University by a fixed engagement.

In a word, he was perfectly free and untrammelled.

To what end?
He worked on from force of habit; but work had long ceased to amuse him.

When had he laughed last?
Probably not since his trip on foot to the Bavarian Highlands, where he had met a witty journalist from Berlin, with whom he had walked for a couple of days.
This evening he was more weary than usual.