My name is John Ford--by no means a romantic name--but I come of a good family.

I am one of the world's unfortunates.

I had neither brother nor sister; my father and mother died while I was quite young; they left me a large fortune, but no relations--no one to love me.

My guardian was a stern, grave elderly man; my youth was lonely, my manhood more lonely still.

I found a fair and dainty love, but she proved false; she left me for one who had more gold and a title to give her.