There may be lucky beings in this world unable to believe any evil of themselves.

For my own part I'll tell you that once, many years ago now, it came to my knowledge that a fellow I had been mixed up with in a certain transaction--a clever fellow whom I really despised--was going around telling people that I was a consummate hypocrite.

He could know nothing of it.

It suited his humour to say so.

I had given him no ground for that particular calumny.
Yet to this day there are moments when it comes into my mind, and involuntarily I ask myself, 'What if it were true ?' It's absurd, but it has on one or two occasions nearly affected my conduct.