I could recommend young men to apply this test before offering themselves.

If they can honestly believe the following lines, as I did, then all is well: "Full many a lady I've eyed with best regard: for several virtues Have I liked several women, never any With so full soul, but some defect in her Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed, And put it to the foil; but you, O you, So perfect and so peerless are created Of every creature's best."[38] [Footnote 38: Ferdinand to Miranda in _The Tempest_.] In my soul I could echo those very words.

To-day, after twenty years of life with her, if I could find stronger words I could truthfully use them.
My advances met with indifferent success.

She was not without other and younger admirers.

My wealth and future plans were against me.