I ardently desired
The desire encapsulated in this phrase will be borne out linguistically when
Victor begins his course of instruction in the next chapter. At that point
various cognates of "ardor" will echo through the text (1.3.1) and note, also 1.3.2). At this early point, however, it
is sufficient for the reader to recognize that the very language
Victor uses echoes Walton's in his review of the course
of his self-education (Letter 1).
