But it was all a theory, of which the practice to him was as yet unknown.

He had soon wearied of the class of women he had met in his student-life--chiefly the daughters of respectable Heidelberg Philistines, of various degrees of south Teutonic prettiness; and the beautiful women of the world, of whom he had caught a glimpse in his travels had never seemed real enough to him to be in any way approached.

He never had realised that his own personality, combined with his faultless manners, would have soon made him a favourite in what is called society, had he chosen to court it.
After all, it was very vague this passing fancy for the dark-eyed woman of the Schloss.

Perhaps Dr.Claudius watched his symptoms too narrowly, and was overmuch pleased at finding that something could still rouse a youthful thrill in him, after the sensation of old age that had of late oppressed him.

A man, he said to himself, is not old so long as he can love--and be loved--well, so long as he can love, say, and let the rest take care of itself.