Her delicate health made it necessary for her to leave me, for many hours of the day, under the care of our household slaves. Ican never forget their kindness to me; but, unfortunately, their ignorance equaled their kindness. If we had been rich enough to send to France or England for a competent governess we might have done very well. But we were not rich enough. I am ashamed to say that I was nearly thirteen years old before I had learned to read and write correctly.
Four more years passed--and then there came a wonderful event in our lives, which was nothing less than the change from Saint Domingo to England.