e first months of my
sojourn were sad and solitary. Too proud to inform any one of the nature
of my sufferings, I lived retired; and, except a few countrymen as poor
as I was, saw no one. This was easy enough; for I had brought no letter
of recommendation to the eminent people of that capital, in which I made
such a bad figure, and amid which I was isolated. This life made one of
my habits and tastes suffer cruelly. A painful circumstance, however,
mortified my self-love, and increased my humiliation,--the Count de
Nangis then was 'the observed of all observers,' in Naples. More prudent
or more fortunate than I, he saved large sums of money from the tempest
which overwhelmed all the large fortunes of France. He had a number of
servants, and in luxury and magnificence equalled the wealthiest persons
of the city. Notwithstanding my anxiety to avoid him, I met him
frequently, and I saw in his expression a kind of disdain and contempt
which wounded me to the soul. One day, when I was more desperate than
ever, I received a letter from France, and in it a check for fifty
thousand livres, which the Countess of Grandmesnil had sent me.
Intoxicated with joy, I hastened to get possession of this money, and
careless of the future, forgot this would be the only sum I should
receive for a long time, or perhaps would ever receive. I indulged in
mad extravagance, took a carriage, and three days afterwards presented
myself at various noble houses, where my rank and title procured me a
ready reception. I saw M. de Nangis; we met in the same rooms, amid
people of high rank, and there was no trace of our old differences. I
fancied, though, that the Count exhibited a secret spite at my recovery
of fortune, which he thought more stable than it really was. At this
time people in Naples played high. The palace of Prince Leta was every
night filled with rich strangers, and with the principal nobles of
Naples. Over his tables, loaded with gold, they played all night long. I
was taken to Prince Leta's, where a strange idea took possession of me.
I fancied that I might, without danger or risk, increase my revenue, and
probably triple the poor sum I had been fortunate to receive. I played,
and my good fortune did not desert me; at first I won with the strangest
good fortune. My daring increased, and I made some bold bets, which were
successful; so that in the course of a few evenings I won three hundred
thousand francs."

The eyes of the Marquis g