Though of highly respectable birth, yet he was an orphan, and
dependent upon the liberality of a rich relative for the advantage
he had already received in an excellent classical education, and the
means of travelling while in the study of his art. A few months
previous to the opening of our tale, this patron, who had been a
father indeed to Carlton, died suddenly, and the news of his decease
reached the young American at the time he was just expecting a
remittance of money. The consequence was, he found himself
friendless and without means, thousands of miles from his native
land. He had incurred some small debts in anticipation of the
expected remittance, which placed him in a still more unpleasant
situation.

It was a severe blow to Carlton to lose one who had been so kind to
him almost from childhood. It was hard, too, to sink at once from a
state of plenty to one of absolute want. But thus it was, and he
endeavored to bear his lot with all the philosophy and resignation
he could command; but it was a bitter stroke for him to bear,
particularly at this time, when so much depended upon his being able
to pursue his calling uninterrupted, and still make the proper
appearance in his person. He felt that at no previous moment had he
so much at stake as now; that at no previous time in the course of
his life could such an event have been more unfortunate. But Carlton
was blessed with a heart easy to keep afloat; and though his future
was hard, he looked upon its sunny side, and bore bravely up against
it, enduring not only mental but positive physical suffering in his
manliness. For months he had been almost constantly engaged in
secret upon a painting, which he designed to present to the Grand
Duke, for his private collection in the Palazzo Pitti, and on which