Chapter 1

           IambybirthaGenevese,andmyfamilyisoneofthemostdistinguishedofthatrepublic.Myancestorshadbeenformanyyearscounsellorsandsyndics,andmyfatherhadfilledseveralpublicsituationswithhonourandreputation.Hewasrespectedbyallwhoknewhimforhisintegrityandindefatigableattentiontopublicbusiness.Hepassedhisyoungerdaysperpetuallyoccupiedbytheaffairsofhiscountry;avarietyofcircumstanceshadpreventedhismarryingearly,norwasituntilthedeclineoflifethathebecameahusbandandthefatherofafamily.

           Asthecircumstancesofhismarriageillustratehischaracter,Icannotrefrainfromrelatingthem.Oneofhismostintimatefriendswasamerchantwho,fromaflourishingstate,fell,throughnumerousmischances,intopoverty.Thisman,whosenamewasBeaufort,wasofaproudandunbendingdispositionandcouldnotbeartoliveinpovertyandoblivioninthesamecountrywherehehadformerlybeendistinguishedforhisrankandmagnificence.Havingpaidhisdebts,therefore,inthemosthonourablemanner,heretreatedwithhisdaughtertothetownofLucerne,wherehelivedunknownandinwretchedness.MyfatherlovedBeaufortwiththetruestfriendshipandwasdeeplygrievedbyhisretreatintheseunfortunatecircumstances.Hebitterlydeploredthefalsepridewhichledhisfriendtoaconductsolittleworthyoftheaffectionthatunitedthem.Helostnotimeinendeavouringtoseekhimout,withthehopeofpersuadinghimtobegintheworldagainthroughhiscreditandassistance.

           Beauforthadtakeneffectualmeasurestoconcealhimself,anditwastenmonthsbeforemyfatherdiscoveredhisabode.Overjoyedatthisdiscovery,hehastenedtothehouse,whichwassituatedinameanstreetneartheReuss.Butwhenheentered,miseryanddespairalonewelcomedhim.