Languages & literature > Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane > Volume 3

V <} I L B L A S. ^ IJ5
bottom the honour of both thefe ports is equal/ the
difference lies in the profits only.”
. While I executed thefe noble commlflions, ad¬
vancing every day farther and farther in the good'
graces of the prime rhinifter; with fitch enchant¬
ing hopes, how happy fhould I have been, if am¬
bition had fecured me from the cravings of hunger !
More-than two .trionthd had ela^fed, fince I had
quitted my .magnificent apartment, and hired 3-
fmall chamber very frugally furnilhed. Although
this gave me feme pain, as I'came oufearly in the
morning, and did not go home to bed before night,
I bore'my fortune patiently. The whole day I ap¬
peared upon my theatre, that is, in the duhe’s houfe,
and played the- part of a man of confequence : but
yvhen I had crept up into my garret, my importance
vanifhed, and nothing remained but poor Gil Bias
without money ; and, which is worfe, without any
thing that could fetch it. Though I had not been
too proud to difeover my neceffity to any body, I
l did not know one perfon that could artift me, ex-
I ^ept.Navarro, whom I had neglefled fo much, fince
i I turned courtier, that I had not affurance enough
! to make application to his friendrtiip. I had been
i obliged to fell ail my cloaths piece-meal, except
| thofe for which I had abfolute occafton. I went
j- no more to the eating-houfe, becaufe I had not
wherewithal to pay my ordinary. How- did I make
! (hift then to fubfift ?. Every morning, a little bread
I and wine was brought into our offices for breakfaft;
this was all that the minifter allowed : this was ali
1 ate through the day, and I generally wentfupper-
- lefs to bed.
! Such was the fituation of a man who fhone at
court, and who was more properly an objeft of
$onip#flign then »nvy. Neverthelefs, I could no
longer