rilliants
and money which they had brought me as an offering. How they scolded and
called me a deceiver! I was only very beautiful and coquettish, and that
was no deception! I charmed them with my coyness, and they brought
me the most costly presents, because I was a virtuous woman. Now they
reproached me, demanding a return of them all, which they had forced
upon me of their own free will. I was obliged to bear it silently in my
costume of innocence, and as goddess I could not defend myself and speak
with human beings--who pushed up to the throne. It was a very ridiculous
position; happily I did not quite lose my senses, but let the apparatus
play, and disappeared into my dressing-room below, which fortunately
closed above me. I dressed, and rushed to your room to rescue my
treasures."

"Even in this extreme danger you only thought of your riches, not of
me," said Cagliostro, with a bitter smile.

"Have you not taught me yourself that money was the only thing worth
striving to possess? Have you not revealed to in wisdom that riches
alone make us happy, and procure for us honor, power, love, and
constancy? Ah! Joseph, have you not made me the miserable, heartless
creature that I am? Can you reproach me that your teaching has borne
such good fruit? I am happy to be the priestess of wealth, and grateful
for what you have made known to me."

"It is true," sighed Cagliostro, "I have taught you the truth of things;
I have disclosed to you the world's motive power. Riches are indeed the
god upon earth, toward whom all are pressing, rushing on. We must all
follow and serve him as slaves, or be crushed under the wheels of his
triumphal car. Men talk and reason about the storm and pressure which
is spreading through the world, and finally will reduce every thing to
storm the eternal and undying bliss of wealth, and press on for gold."

"To think that we have lost every thing!" cried Lorenza, springing up
and stamping with her silken-shod foot; "every thing is lost that I have
been years gaining, by hypocrisy, deception, and coquetry. They have
robbed me! The shameful barbarians have seized all our effects. The
police surrounded the house, guarding every entrance, and we were
obliged to escape by the roof into the house of one of the brothers,
leaving all our treasures behind."

"You exaggerate, Lorenza, and represent it worse than it is. Look
around; you are surrounded with luxury and comfort. Our great
undertakings in Cou