372 SHIPWRECK OF THB MEDUSA. 
making him sit near his bed, took his hand and said, '• My last 
hour is come ; Heaven, to whose decrees I humbly submit, 
will soon remove me from this world ; but one consolation 
remains with me — the thought that you will not abandon my 
children. I recommend to you my oldest daughter ; you are 
dear to her, doubt not ; would she were your wife, and that 
you were to her, as you have always been to me, a sincere 
friend." On saying these words he took my hands and pressed 
them to his burning lips. Tears suffocated my voice, but I 
pressed him tenderly in my arms ; and as he saw I was ex- 
tremely affected with his situation, he quickly said to me, "My 
daughter, I have need of rest." 1 instantly quitted him, and 
was joined by M. Dard, when we retired to another room, 
where we found Caroline and the good Madame Thomas. 
This worthy friend seeing the deplorable condition to which 
we were reduced, endeavored to console us, and to give us hope, 
saying, that having heard of my father's illness on board the 
brig Vigilant, in which he had embarked at the port of St. 
Louis, he had obtained leave to come on shore, and to go and 
offer us some assistance : after which he left us, promising to 
return on the morrow. 
Toward the middle of the night of the 1 5th of August, 1819, 
it struck me that rny father wished to speak with me. I drew 
near him, and seeing him pale, and his eyes wild, I turned 
away my head to conceal the tears which I could not sup- 
press ; but having perceived my distress, he said to me in a 
mournful voice, "Why are you so much afflioted, my child? 
My last hour approaches, I cannot escape it ; then summon 
all the strength of your soul to bear it with courage. My 
conscience is pure, I have nothing with which to reproach 
myself: I will die in peace, if you promise to protect the chil- 
dren whom I will soon leave. Tell also to feeling hearts ths 
long train of unintern.ipted misfortunes which have assailed 
me : tell the abandoned condition in which we have lived : and 
tell at last, that in dying I forgave my enemies all the evils 
they had made me and my family endure !" At these words 
I fell upon his bed, and cried, " Yes, dear father, I promise to 
do all you require of me." I was yet speaking when Caro- 
line entered the chamber, and throwing herself upon his bed, 
tenderly embraced him, whilst he held me by the hand. We 
gazed on one another in profound silence, which was only in- 
terrupted by our sighs. During this heart-rending scene my 
iather again said to me, " My good Charlotte, 1 thank you for 
all the care you have bestowed on me ; I die, but I leave you 
