'I thought of it a long time, and had it in my sleep for months.

Then I began.

I found no pleasure in it, I expected none.

What has it ever brought me but anxious days and sleepless nights; but loss of health and peace of mind, and gain of feebleness and sorrow!' 'You lost what money you had laid by, first, and then came to me.
While I thought you were making your fortune (as you said you were) you were making yourself a beggar, eh?
Dear me! And so it comes to pass that I hold every security you could scrape together, and a bill of sale upon the--upon the stock and property,' said Quilp standing up and looking about him, as if to assure himself that none of it had been taken away.

'But did you never win ?' 'Never!' groaned the old man.