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           Beauforthadsavedbutaverysmallsumofmoneyfromthewreckofhisfortunes,butitwassufficienttoprovidehimwithsustenanceforsomemonths,andinthemeantimehehopedtoprocuresomerespectableemploymentinamerchant’shouse.Theintervalwas,consequently,spentininaction;hisgriefonlybecamemoredeepandranklingwhenhehadleisureforreflection,andatlengthittooksofastholdofhismindthatattheendofthreemonthshelayonabedofsickness,incapableofanyexertion.

           Hisdaughterattendedhimwiththegreatesttenderness,butshesawwithdespairthattheirlittlefundwasrapidlydecreasingandthattherewasnootherprospectofsupport.ButCarolineBeaufortpossessedamindofanuncommonmould,andhercouragerosetosupportherinheradversity.Sheprocuredplainwork;sheplaitedstrawandbyvariousmeanscontrivedtoearnapittancescarcelysufficienttosupportlife.

           Severalmonthspassedinthismanner.Herfathergrewworse;hertimewasmoreentirelyoccupiedinattendinghim;hermeansofsubsistencedecreased;andinthetenthmonthherfatherdiedinherarms,leavingheranorphanandabeggar.Thislastblowovercameher,andshekneltbyBeaufort’scoffinweepingbitterly,whenmyfatherenteredthechamber.Hecamelikeaprotectingspirittothepoorgirl,whocommittedherselftohiscare;andaftertheintermentofhisfriendheconductedhertoGenevaandplacedherundertheprotectionofarelation.TwoyearsafterthiseventCarolinebecamehiswife.

           Therewasaconsiderabledifferencebetweentheagesofmyparents,butthiscircumstanceseemedtounitethemonlycloserinbondsofdevotedaffection.Therewasasenseofjusticeinmyfather’suprightmindwhichrendereditnecessarythatheshouldapprovehighlytolovestrongly.