The result was our first quarrel and before it was made up, he died suddenly.
Now again fastidiousness and my lack of perseverance did their work, and solemnly I swore that I would never write another book, an oath which I have kept till this moment, at least so far as publication is concerned, and now break only because I consider it my duty so to do and am not animated by any pecuniary object.
Thus came to an end my second attempt at carving out a career.

By now I had grown savage and cynical, rather revengeful also, I fear.

Knowing myself to possess considerable abilities in sundry directions, I sat down, as it were, to think things over and digest my past experiences.
Then it was that the truth of a very ancient adage struck upon my mind, namely, that money is power.

Had I sufficient money I could laugh at unjust critics for example; indeed they or their papers would scarcely dare to criticise me for fear lest it should be in my power to do them a bad turn.

Again I could follow my own ideas in life and perhaps work good in the world, and live in such surroundings as commended themselves to me.