"To throw off my own habits, to become some one else than myself,
through an intoxication of the moral faculties, and to play this game
at will, such was my way of amusing myself. To what do I owe this gift?
Is it a form of second sight? Is it one of those qualities, the abuse
of which might lead to madness? I have never sought the sources of this
power; I possess it and make use of it, that is all."
Some evenings he would not go out, because ideas were surging in his
brain; but if the rebellious rhymes refused to come he would descend to
the second floor and play some harmless games with certain "persons,"
or it might be a hand at boston, for small stakes, at which he
sometimes won as much as three francs. His resounding laughter could be
heard, echoing down the staircase as he remounted to his garret,
exulting over his extensive winnings. Nothing, however, could turn him
aside from his project of writing Cromwell, and he set himself a date
on which he should present his tragedy to the members of his family
gathered together for the purpose of hearing him read it.
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