Fifty thousand francs!  For a moment Louis had a faint idea of retreating from the scene of temptation.  But what a fall!  Besides, his vices bloomed and flourished in this charming centre.  He had heretofore considered himself fast; but the past was a state of unsophisticated verdancy, compared with the thousand attractive sins in which he now indulged.

Then the sight of suddenly acquired fortunes, and the many examples of the successful results of hazardous ventures, inflamed his mind, and persuaded him to try his fortune in the game of speculation.

He thought that in this great, rich city, he certainly could succeed in seizing a share of the loaves and fishes.

But how?  He had no idea, and he did not seek to find one.  He imagined that his good fortune would some day come, and that all he had to do was to wait for it.

This is one of the errors which it is time to destroy.

Fortune is not to be wasted upon idle fools.

In this furious race of self-interest, it requires great skill to bestride the capricious mare called Opportunity, and make her lead to the end in view.  Every winner must possess a strong will and a dexterous hand.  But Louis did not devote much thought to the matter.  Like the foolish man who wished to draw the prize without contributing to the raffle, he thought: 

“Bast! opportunity, chance, a rich marriage will put me all right again!”

The rich bride failed to appear, and his last louis had gone the way of its predecessors.

To a pressing demand for money, his notary replied by a refusal.

“Your lands are all gone,” he wrote; “you now possess nothing but the chateau.  It is very valuable, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to find a purchaser of so large an amount of real estate, in its present condition.  I will use every effort to make a good sale, and if successful, will inform you of the fact immediately.”  Louis was thunderstruck at this final catastrophe, as much surprised as if he could have expected any other result.  But what could he do?

Ruined, with nothing to look forward to, the best course was to imitate the large number of poor fools who each year rise up, shine a moment, then suddenly disappear.

But Louis could not renounce this life of ease and pleasure which he had been leading for the last three years.  After leaving his fortune on the battle-ground, he was willing to leave the shreds of his honor.

He first lived on the reputation of his dissipated fortune; on the credit remaining to a man who has spent much in a short space of time.

This resource was soon exhausted.

The day came when his creditors seized all they could lay their hands upon, the last remains of his opulence, his carriages, horses, and costly furniture.

He took refuge in a quiet hotel, but he could not keep away from the wealthy set whom he considered his friends.