"I have nothing left now," said he, "but my plate and jewels, and the furniture of my house; and, should my fleet delay, I will sell all rather than a single knight should be kept from joining the glorious expedition." As if he had foreseen the event, it so happened: although there were no storms to prevent it, the return of the expected vessels was indeed delayed, and, fresh and pressing applications pouring in upon him, Auffredy found himself actually under the necessity of disposing of his personal possessions, in order to advance the ready-money required.
He was now in a novel position, without money altogether, and he had sold all he possessed of land and houses.

"It matters not," said he to the friend at whose house he was staying, at his earnest and affectionate entreaty; "in a day or two I shall have more than I ever yet could call my own; for my last advices, brought by a pilgrim from the country of Manchou Khan, tell me, that all my ventures have been successful, and that this time my faithful agent, Herbert de Burgh, has excelled himself in ability." "And even should it not be so," said his friend, "think you that the grateful town of La Rochelle would not be proud to support for years, nay, for ever, if need were, the benefactor to whom every citizen is more or less indebted ?" "I doubt it not," returned the merchant, "and it would be even a gratification to me to be reduced to poverty, which such generous friends would relieve." But a great and most unexpected change was about to take place in the fortunes of Auffredy: a change which neither he nor his friends had ever contemplated, and which put quite a different face upon everything.

The fleet from the East did not arrive.

Day after day, week after week, month after month, the first, the second, year had passed, and the chain at the harbour of La Rochelle was not loosened to give passage to his vessels.

Hope had slowly faded, expectation declined, and, at length, expired,--and the powerful, wealthy, and beloved Auffredy was a beggar.
Where was he at the expiration of the second year?
What friend's mansion did he still honour with his presence, and which of his admirers was made happy by seeing him partake of his hospitality?
Who, of all those he had rescued from poverty, danger, and affliction, was so blest as to show how strong the tide of gratitude swelled in their hearts?
Auffredy was heard of no more! His native town had forgotten his name: to speak of him was interdicted; he was a reproach to La Rochelle, a disgrace to the city whom his misfortune left without a merchant able to assist monarchs and fit out armies.