th him, yet I was none the less mournfully affected by his
death. You cannot without regret be separated forever from one to whom
so close a tie as marriage has bound you. This blow, however, was far
less than the cruel grief I experienced at the death of my daughter. I
hastened to her as soon as I heard of her illness, but the disease
progressed rapidly, and I cannot tell what I felt when all hope of
saving her was gone. When, going to see her the last day, my eyes fell
upon that dreadfully sunken face, I fainted away. My old friend Mme.
de Noisville rescued me from that bed of sorrow; she supported me, for
my legs would not carry me, and took me home. The next day I was
childless! Mme. de Verdun came with the news, and vainly tried to
soften my despair. All the wrongdoing of the poor little one
vanished--I saw her again, I still see her, in the days of her
childhood. Alas! she was so young! Why did she not survive me?

It was in 1819 that I was bereft of my daughter, and in 1820 I lost my
brother. So many successive shocks plunged me into such deep dejection
that my friends, grieving for my state, urged me to try the
distraction of a journey. I therefore decided to visit Bordeaux. I did
not know that town, and hence the anticipation changed the current of
my thoughts. Nor was I disappointed. My health benefited by the
journey, and I returned to Paris less dark in spirit.

From that day to this I have travelled no more. After my return from
Bordeaux I resumed my daily habits and my work, which of all
distractions I have always found the best. Although having had the
misfortune to lose so many dear ones, I did not remain forsaken. I
have mentioned Mme. de Riviere, my niece, who, through her affection
and her ministrations, is the blessing of my life. I must also speak
of my other niece, Eugenia Lebrun, now Mme. Tripier Le Franc. Her
studies at first prevented me from seeing her as often as I should
have liked to, for since her earliest youth her disposition, her
mental qualities, and her great gift for painting had promised to be a
joy to me. I took pleasure in guiding her, in lavishing my counsels
upon her, and in watching her progress. I am well rewarded to-day,
when she has realised all my hopes by her lovely character and her
very remarkable talent for painting. She has followed the same course
as myself in the adoption of portrait painting, and is earning
success merited by fine colouring, by great sincerity, and,