, we could not possibly take more than two
thousand livres weight of gold, which meant six journeys across the
prison to the gondola. The sentinel at the water gate was bribed with
a bag containing ten livres weight of gold; and as far as the two
gondoliers, they believed they were serving the Republic. At daybreak we
set out.

"Once upon the open sea, when I thought of that night, when I
recollected all that I had felt, when the vision of that great hoard
rose before my eyes, and I computed that I had left behind thirty
millions in silver, twenty in gold, and many more in diamonds, pearls,
and rubies--then a sort of madness began to work in me. I had the gold
fever.

"We landed at Smyrna and took ship at once for France. As we went
on board the French vessel, Heaven favored me by ridding me of my
accomplice. I did not think at the time of all the possible consequences
of this mishap, and rejoiced not a little. We were so completely
unnerved by all that had happened, that we were stupid, we said not a
word to each other, we waited till it should be safe to enjoy ourselves
at our ease. It was not wonderful that the rogue's head was dizzy. You
shall see how heavily God has punished me.

"I never knew a quiet moment until I had sold two-thirds of my diamonds
in London or Amsterdam, and held the value of my gold dust in a
negotiable shape. For five years I hid myself in Madrid, then in 1770
I came to Paris with a Spanish name, and led as brilliant a life as may
be. Then in the midst of my pleasures, as I enjoyed a fortune of six
millions, I was smitten with blindness. I do not doubt but that my
infirmity was brought on by my sojourn in the cell and my work in the
stone, if, indeed, my peculiar faculty for 'seeing' gold was not an
abuse of the power of sight which predestined me to lose it. Bianca was
dead.

"At this time I had fallen in love with a woman to whom I thought to
link my fate. I had told her the secret of my name; she belonged to a
powerful family; she was a friend of Mme. du Barry; I hoped everything
from the favor shown me by Louis XV.; I trusted in her. Acting on her
advice, I went to London to consult a famous oculist, and after a
stay of several months in London she deserted me in Hyde Park. She had
stripped me of all that I had, and left me without resource. Nor could
I make complaint, for to disclose my name was to lay myself open to the
vengeance of my native city; I could appeal to no one for aid,