were never together but he played some cruel and mischievous prank, which
I never failed to resent to the utmost of my little power. I soon found
that my tears only increased his exultation, and my complaints only
grieved my mother. I, therefore, gave word for word and blow for blow;
but, being always worsted in such conflicts, I shunned him whenever it was
possible, and whatever his malice made me suffer I endeavoured to conceal
from her.

My mother, on her death-bed, was anxious to see him, but he had
strolled away after some boyish amusement, with companions as thoughtless
as himself. The news of her death scarcely produced an hour's seriousness.
He made my affliction a topic of sarcasm and contempt.

To soften my grief, my father consented to my living under the care of
her whom I now call my mother. Mrs. Fielder was merely the intimate from
childhood of my own mother, with whom, however, since her marrage,
contracted against Mrs. Fielder's inclination and remonstrances, she had
maintained but little intercourse. My mother's sudden death and my
helpless age awakened all her early tenderness, and induced her to offer
an asylum to me. Having a considerable fortune and no family, her offer,
notwithstanding ancient jealousies, was readily accepted by my father.

My new residence was, in many respects, the reverse of my former one.
The treatment I received from my new parent, without erasing the memory of
the old one, quickly excited emotions as filial and tender as I had ever
experienced. Comfort and quiet, peace and harmony, obsequious and
affectionate attendants and companions, I had never been accustomed to
under the paternal roof.

From this period till I was nearly sixteen years of age, I merely paid