tations
could make them; and by my grandfather's influence the Duke was induced
to listen to the scheme. On what mere accident the great events of life
depend! It was a party of quinze decided the fate of Europe. The Duke
lost a hundred and seventy thousand livres to my grandfather, and could
not pay him. While he was making excuses for the delay, my grandfather
thought of Law, and said--"Let me present to your Royal Highness
to-morrow morning a clever friend of mine, and it will never be your
fortune again to own that you have not money to any extent at your
disposal." Law appeared at the Duke's levee the next morning. It is not
necessary to tell the rest, only that among the deepest gamblers in that
memorable scheme, and the largest winners, my grandfather held the first
place. Such was the splendour of his retinue one day at Versailles that
the rumour ran it was some sovereign of Southern Europe had suddenly
arrived at Paris, and the troops turned out to render royal honours to
him. When the Duke heard the story he laughed heartily, and said, "Eh
bien, c'est un Gage du succes "--a _mot_ upon our family name, which was
Gage, my uncle being afterward a viscount by that title.

'Within a very short time after that incident--which, some say, had so
captivated my grandfather's ambition that he became feverish and restless
for greatness--he offered three millions sterling for the crown of
Poland. You may remember Pope's allusion to it:

"The Crown of Poland, venal twice an age,
To just three millions stinted modest Gage."

'The contract was broken off by my grandfather's refusal to marry a
certain Countess Boratynski, a natural daughter of the king. He then
made a bidding for the throne of Sardinia; but, while the negotiation
was yet pending, the great edifice of Law began to tremble; and within
three short weeks my grandfather, from the owner of six millions
sterling, was reduced to actual beggary.

'He attained a more lasting prosperity later on, and died a grandee of
Spain of the first class, having highly distinguished himself in council
and the field.

'It is not in any vaingloriousness, sir, I have related this story. Of
all the greatness that once adorned my house, these threadbare clothes
are sorry relics. We were talking of life's reverses, however, and
probably my case is not without its moral.'

Gerald sat silently gazing with a sort of admiration at one who could
with such seeming calm discuss th