a792. adventures of a Rufsida gentleman. E45 
There was so much exprefsion in ‘her singing, that the 
‘meaning of these two lines appeared to me very reason- 
able. Of course I thought neither of my father nor my 
“creditors. The Provengal ruined me, without thinking of 
any thing but her pleasures. I believe I have said al- 
ready fhe was without caprice, and had only one decided 
palsion, that of avarice. I gave her willingly, because 
fhe never demanded any thing, but allowed every thing 
to appear the effect of my liberality. Her mother indeed 
praised my generosity ; fhe had even reduced the’ four 
‘cardinal virtues to that one alone; and at. the beginning 
of the year the proved to me, that I ought to give her 
daughter a diamond necklace for her new year’s gift. 
Her demand appeared rather great,—it was about 30,000 
francs. My lord said fhe, has given one to 
this mistrefs, who committed three or four infidelities eve- 
ry day. A certain German baron, whom I knew, added 
fhe, has ordered one for his mistrefs, although fhe is a 
creature without any kind of merit. She ended by fhew- 
ing me that the glory of Rufsia was concerned. I could 
mot withstand that last argument. I gave the necklace; 
vor rather it was the merchant who made her a present of 
it, since I forgot to pay for it. I continued to banifh 
‘care, according to the maxim of my tender lover, when 
“my father, not being able to support my extravagances 
any longer, ceased to send me money ; and when it was 
found I had no other resource, the mask fell, the girl re- 
mained, and the Circé became a Megara. After a vio- 
dent scene fhe fhut the door in my face. in order to get 
rid of me, fhe advised the jeweller, who had furnifhed the 
diamond necklace, to put me in prison; and I 4m just 
come out of the Fort /’Eveque, where 1 have been these 
eight months. Now,stripped of every thing, as if I had 
fallen into the hands of robbers, ruined, and in dcbhy I re. 
VOL. ix. T Ta 
