It now only remained for me to sell my house, which I very soon did. I met with a purchaser who gave me almost as much as it had cost me, the quarter of the town having been much built upon since I bought it. As soon as I had completed this sale, I carried the money to the bank. It could bring me in but very little, but in addition to its being there in safety, I could draw it out again whenever I pleased. After having thus disposed of my property, procured a proper dress for a student who aspired to sacred orders, which consisted of a long cloak and cassock, and after having bid adieu to Don Andrea and my best friends, I set out for the town of Alcala, where I arrived a few days before the opening of the colleges. I was at first doubtful where I should take up my lodging; whether to enter myself in a college, or hire an apartment and board in the town. I had been accustomed to enjoy entire liberty at my own house, to live according to my own fancy, to eat what I pleased, without being subject to stipulated hours, which I must conform to in a boarding house, where I should dine and sup with the students, the majority of whom were mere children. On the other hand, when I considered the expense of an establishment of my own; of keeping a servant who might be addicted to thieving, gallantry, or wine, or perhaps all three together; not to mention other inconveniences which are attached to the life of a young man completely his own master, I decided at last that I would enter myself at one of the boarding houses, and accordingly agreed with one which I thought would be most suitable to my age. I was not long without acquaintances. I was fortunate enough to meet with some students of about my own age. With these I associated; for I was ashamed to keep company with the younger ones. I began by applying myself to the study of philosophy, in which, as I united indefatigable perseverance with a natural happy genius, I soon made great progress, and at the end of two years was considered one of the first students in the university. After having gone through my course of philosophy, I took my degrees as Master of Arts, in which I got the second place, though I well deserved the first. This injustice was winked at in favour of the son of one of our most celebrated professors. I did not murmur at it; on the contrary, I felt more pride in hearing it said by every body that I had been unfairly passed over, than I should have felt if justice had been done to me. I next commenced upon Theology, and continuing to study with the same ardour, it soon became mere amusement to me, and I felt, or, at least, fancied that I grew wiser every day.