iged to tell her that their
resources were nearly exhausted and would not suffice to meet the costs
of such a long and difficult journey, every step of which would demand a
lavish expenditure of money.

Since the destruction of Chamondrin, Dolores had been entirely dependent
upon Coursegol's bounty. The latter had possessed quite a snug little
fortune, inherited from his parents; but a sojourn of fifteen months at
Beaucaire and more than a year's income expended on the journey to Paris
had made great inroads in his little capital. Fortunately, on arriving
in Paris, the generous hospitality of the Bridouls had spared him the
necessity of drawing upon the remnant of his fortune. This amounted now
to about twelve hundred francs. Still, he felt that he could not remain
much longer under the roof of these worthy people without trespassing
upon their kindness and generosity, for they firmly refused to accept
any remuneration; and Coursegol was anxiously wondering how he could
support Dolores when this money was exhausted. He confided his anxiety
to Bridoul; but the latter, instead of sharing it, showed him that such
a sum was equivalent to a fortune in times like those.

"Twelve hundred francs!" said he. "Why that is more than enough for the
establishment of a lucrative business or for speculation in assignats
which, with prudence, would yield you a fortune."

It was good advice. Gold and silver were becoming scarce; and assignats
were subject to daily fluctuations that afforded one an excellent
opportunity to realize handsome profits, if one had a little money on
hand and knew how to employ it to advantage.

CHAPTER VII.

CITIZEN JEAN VAUQUELAS.

In April, 1793, about eight months after his arrival in Paris, Coursegol
went one evening to the Palais Egalite. The establishment, which had
formerly been known as the Palais Royal, had at that epoch a splendor
and an importance of which its present appearance gives but a faint
conception. One should read in the journals of those days the
description of the galleries ever filled with an eager, bustling throng
attracted by the excitement and the unwholesome amusements always to be
found there. Mercier, in sharp, almost indignant language, gives us a
vivid picture of the famous resort. Gambling-dens, dance-halls, shops
devoted to the sale of the most reckless and infamous productions,
restaurants and wine-shops were to be seen on every side. The spirit of
speculation a