"You have roused my curiosity to such a pitch, that I shall go mad if you hold your tongue.

You _must_ speak out." "I _must_ not, if, by so doing, I ruin your prospects and my own.

Be satisfied, Geoffrey, that I am your friend; that henceforth I will regard you as a brother, and do all in my power to lighten and shorten your present bondage." The generous assurance he gave me of a warm and affectionate sympathy in my destiny, nearly atoned for twenty years of sorrow and degradation.

The intense desire I felt to deserve his esteem, made me anxious to cultivate my mind, which I had suffered to lie waste.
Harrison kindly offered his aid, and supplied me with books.

I now devoted myself with zeal to the task.