I hate this life of the fashionable world, always ordered, measured, ruled, like our music-paper. What I have always wished for, desired, and coveted, is the life of an artist, free and independent, relying only on my own resources, and accountable only to myself.
 Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo (1845). copy citation

Context

“«What shall we do?»
«Yes.»
«Why, the same we had intended doing three days since—set off.»
«What?—although you are not now going to be married, you intend still——» «Listen, Louise. I hate this life of the fashionable world, always ordered, measured, ruled, like our music-paper. What I have always wished for, desired, and coveted, is the life of an artist, free and independent, relying only on my own resources, and accountable only to myself. Remain here? What for?—that they may try, a month hence, to marry me again; and to whom?—M. Debray, perhaps, as it was once proposed. No, Louise, no! This evening's adventure will serve for my excuse.” source
Original quote

Meaning and analysis

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