“Well, I have finished; I have tried to relate of my manners, morals, talents, defects, temptations, and appearance as faithfully as I can; and I think there is nothing more to be said.  If I had to confess and expose one opinon of myself which might differentiate me a little from other people, I should say it was my power of love coupled with my power of criticism, but what I lack most is what Henry possesses above all men:  equanimity, moderation, self-control and the authority that comes from a perfect sense of proportion.  I can only pray that I am not too old or too stationary to acquire these.

Margot Asquith.

“P.S.  This is my second attempt to write about myself and I am not at all sure that my old character-sketch of 1888 is not the better of the two—­it is more external—­but, after all, what can one say of one’s inner self that corresponds with what one really is or what one’s friends think one is?  Just now I am within a few weeks of my baby’s birth and am tempted to take a gloomy view.  I am inclined to sum up my life in this way: 

“’An unfettered childhood and triumphant youth; a lot of love-making and a little abuse; a little fame and more abuse; a real man and great happiness; the love of children and seventh heaven; an early death and a crowded memorial service.’

“But perhaps I shall not die, but live to write another volume of this diary and a better description of an improved self.”

The end of book two