The shock which this disastrous occurrence occasioned to my mother, was the foundation of a disease which carried her, in a few months, to the grave.

My brother and myself were children at this time, and were now reduced to the condition of orphans.

The property which our parents left was by no means inconsiderable.

It was entrusted to faithful hands, till we should arrive at a suitable age.

Meanwhile, our education was assigned to a maiden aunt who resided in the city, and whose tenderness made us in a short time cease to regret that we had lost a mother.
The years that succeeded were tranquil and happy.