The public funds sunk ten per cent. daily. All the
Millionaires crashed. In a word, dismay, disorganisation, despair,
pervaded in all directions the wisest, the greatest, and the richest
nation in the world. The master of the hotel added, with an air of
becoming embarrassment, that, had not his Excellency been fortunately
absent, he probably would not have had the pleasure of detailing to him
this little narrative; that he had often been inquired for by the
populace at his old balcony; and that a crowd had perpetually surrounded
the house till within the last day, when a report had got about that his
Excellency had turned into steam and disappeared. He added that
caricatures of his Highness might be procured in any shop, and his
account of his voyage obtained at less than half-price.
'Ah!' said Popanilla, in a tone of great anguish, 'and all this from
losing a lock of hair!'
At this moment the messenger whom Skindeep had despatched returned, and
informed him with great regret that his banker, to whom he had entrusted
his whole fortune, had been so unlucky as to stop payment during his
absence.
Pages:
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171