He had been in Europe for the last few years, wandering amid the ruins of Italy, studying the grand old masters, summering in the valleys of Switzerland, beneath the shadow of its mountain heights, and polishing his bold, masterly sketches among the elegant artists of Paris.
"With what rapture I listened to his glowing descriptions of foreign lands, and what beautiful castles we built where we were to dwell together in the golden clime of Italy or the sunny bowers of France! "At length, my Gabriella, you were given to my arms, and the deep, pure fountain of a mother's love welled in my youthful bosom.

But my life was wellnigh a sacrifice to yours.

For weeks it hung trembling on a thread slender and weak as the gossamer's web.

St.James watched over me, as none but guardian angels could watch, and I had another faithful and devoted nurse, our good and matchless Peggy.

To her unsleeping vigilance, her strong heart and untiring arm, I owe in a great measure the restoration of my health, or rather the preservation of my life; my health was never entirely renovated.
"When you were about five or six months old, St.James came to me with a troubled countenance.