I could never tell you how lonely my life has been in those great foreign cities, where there seems such perpetual gaiety and pleasure.

I think I must have died of the solitude and dulness--the long dreary summer evenings, the dismal winter days--if it had not been for my darling child.

She has been all the world to me.
And, O God!' she cried, with a look of anguish that went to my heart, 'what will become of her when I am dead, and she is left to the care of a selfish dissipated man ?' "'You need never fear that she will be without one friend while I live,' I said.

'Little Marian is very dear to me, and I shall make it my business to watch over her career as well as I can.' "The poor soul clasped my hand, and pressed her feverish lips to it in a transport of gratitude.

What a brute a man must have been who could neglect such a woman! "After this I went up to her room every evening, and read to her a little, and cheered her as well as I could; but I believe her heart was broken.