The narrator reflects on a sense of lost confidence and vitality. They recall a time in Europe when they were young and full of optimism, feeling as though they had control over their fate. Each stroke of luck made them feel invincible, as if they were conquering the world.

This nostalgia highlights the contrast between their past self, brimming with ignorance and confidence, and their current state, which lacks that same spirited assurance. The passage evokes a longing for the days when every small success felt monumental, revealing the impact of time and experience on one's outlook on life.