Hylas and the Nymphs

Hylas and the Nymphs
jesus christ on the cross
klimt painting the kiss
leonardo da vinci self portrait
was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception.
oil paintingYou shewed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased." ¡¡¡¡"Had you then persuaded yourself that I should?" ¡¡¡¡"Indeed I had. What will you think of my vanity? I believed you to be wishing, expecting my addresses." ¡¡¡¡"My manners must have been in fault, but not intentionally, I assure you. I never meant to deceive you, but my spirits might often lead me wrong. How you must have hated me after that evening?" ¡¡¡¡"Hate you! I was angry perhaps at first, but my anger soon began to take a proper direction." ¡¡¡¡"I am almost afraid of asking what you thought of me, when we met at Pemberley. You blamed me for coming?" ¡¡¡¡"No indeed; I felt nothing but surprise." ¡¡¡¡"Your surprise could not be greater than mine in being noticed by you. My conscience told me that I deserved no extraordinary politeness, and I confess that I did not expect to receive more than my due."