In due time I was born, and upon the day following that great event my father died.

On the day of his burial my poor mother, unable to find in me either compensation or consolation for the loss of her child's father, also died, of a broken heart, it was said.

But God was right, as usual, in taking my parents; for I should have brought them no happiness, unless perchance they could have moulded my life to a better form than it has had--a doubtful chance, since our great virtues and our chief faults are born and die with us.

My faults, alas! have been many and great.

In my youth I knew but one virtue: to love my friend; and that was strong within me.