Actually, I had been shielded from the world during this

time of decline when it would have been easy to lose grip

first in a boarding school, then a sick-bed, then a country house.
Only now was I cast on to the waters of modern city life and in
danger of dissipating my energies a hundred ways, with resultant
weakening and superficiality. However, I had been a very short
time in Katowice before my attention began to be concentrated
on a lady of great charm and poise who came to the courses.
She was tall and well built, with a pale complexion and dark,
wavy hair. What first attracted me was an impression of great
self-control and something secret about her eyes and smile
betokening hidden wealth of personality. I was soon in love
and decided that this was the wife for me. Such was my
exuberance and folly that it did not even occur to me what a
poor offer I was as a husband in view of the mess I had made of
my life.