I found, indeed, some intervals of reflection; and the serious thoughts did, as it were, endeavour to return again sometimes; but I shook them off, and roused myself from them as it were from a distemper, and applying myself to drinking and company, soon mastered the return of those fits—for so I called them; and I had in five or six days got as complete a victory over conscience as any young fellow that resolved not to be troubled with it could desire.
Aún tuve algunos momentos de reflexión en los que procuraba recobrar la sensatez pero, me sacudía como si de una enfermedad se tratase. Dedicándome de lleno a la bebida y a la compañía, logré vencer esos ataques, como los llamaba entonces y en cinco o seis días logré una victoria total sobre mi conciencia, como lo habría deseado cualquier joven que hubiera decidido no dejarse abatir por ella.