Chapter 1

I'm from Geneva, and my family is quite prestigious there. My ancestors held important roles as counselors and syndics, and my father served in several significant public positions with honor. Everyone respected him for his honesty and tireless dedication to public duties. He spent his early years fully engaged in serving his country. Various reasons delayed his marriage, so it wasn't until later in his life that he settled down to start a family.

I must share the story of his marriage because it reflects his character. He had a close friend, a merchant named Beaufort, who went from being wealthy to falling into poverty due to many unfortunate events. Beaufort, proud by nature, couldn't stand the idea of living in poverty in the same place where he was once well-known and respected. So, after settling his debts honorably, he moved with his daughter to Lucerne to live in obscurity. My father was deeply saddened by Beaufort's downfall and was determined to find him and offer help, hoping to encourage him to rebuild his life with my father's support.

It took my father ten months to find Beaufort. When he did, he discovered Beaufort living in misery. Beaufort had managed to save a small amount of money, but it was barely enough to live on, and he hoped to find work. However, the lack of activity deepened his despair, eventually leaving him bedridden.

Beaufort's daughter, Caroline, cared for him with great devotion, but she was distraught as their meager funds dwindled with no other means of support in sight. Caroline, possessing a strong and unique spirit, managed to earn a small income through sewing and other work, but it was hardly enough.

This went on for several months until Beaufort passed away in Caroline's arms, leaving her alone and penniless. Overwhelmed by grief beside her father's coffin, Caroline was found by my father, who offered his support and protection. He took her to Geneva and placed her under the care of a relative. Two years later, Caroline and my father married.

Despite the age difference between my parents, their marriage was filled with deep affection. My father valued virtues highly, which made his love for my mother even stronger. He had perhaps been disappointed by love before, so he cherished my mother's proven worthiness all the more. His care for her was profound, motivated by gratitude and a desire to make up for her past sorrows, which lent a special grace to their relationship. He made every effort to cater to her wishes and comfort, protecting her delicately, like a rare plant, from any hardships. Her health had suffered from her earlier trials, so after their marriage, they traveled to Italy, seeking the restorative benefits of a change of scenery.

They also visited Germany and France, and I was born in Naples, joining them on their travels as an infant. For several years, I was their sole focus, lavished with love and affection. I grew up learning patience, charity, and self-control, surrounded by their love, making my childhood incredibly happy.

When I was around five, we stayed near Lake Como, where my parents often helped local poor families. On one occasion, they encountered a particularly needy family with a child, Elizabeth, who stood out starkly from her siblings. Elizabeth was actually the daughter of a Milanese nobleman, orphaned and left in the care of this family. She was remarkably beautiful, with golden hair and blue eyes, unlike the peasant family's own children.

Moved by Elizabeth's story and her striking appearance, my mother decided to take Elizabeth into our family. She became my closest companion, beloved by everyone. The night before she officially joined our family, my mother playfully told me she had a special present for me—Elizabeth. I took that literally, seeing Elizabeth as my own, to protect and cherish forever. We grew up calling each other cousin, but our bond was closer than that, as she was destined to be mine alone.