All the brokers, money-changers, and usurers, were put in requisition, and the empty coffers were soon filled; for the dining-room floor was in the eyes of the lenders a sufficient security.
This paliative had its effect for a time; but all at once a report was spread abroad in the city that the celebrated silver floor had been taken up: the consequence of which was, that the lenders insisted on examining into and proving the fact, and then became urgent for payment; but as Francis had not the means to meet their demands, they seized on all his goods and chattels; every thing was sold by auction, and he had nothing left excepting a few jewels, which had formed part of his heritage, and which might for a short time keep him from starving.
He now took up his abode in a small street in one of the most remote quarters of the city, where he lived on his straitened means. He, however, accommodated himself to his situation; but the only resource that he found against the _ennui_ which overpowered him was to play on the lute; and when fatigued by this exercise, he used to stand at his window and make observations on the weather; and his intelligent mind was not long in discovering an object which soon entirely engrossed all his thoughts.
Opposite his window there lived a respectable woman, who was at her spinning wheel from morning till night, and by her industry earned a subsistence for herself and her daughter. Meta was a young girl of great beauty and attraction: she had known happier times: for her father had been the proprietor of a vessel freighted by himself, in which he annually made trading voyages to Antwerp; but he, as well as the ship and all its cargo, was lost in a violent storm. His widow sustained this double loss with resignation and firmness, and resolved to support herself and her daughter by her own industry. She made over the house and furniture to the creditors of her husband, and took up her abode in the little bye street where Francis lodged, where, by her assiduity she acquired a subsistence without laying herself under an obligation to any one. She brought up her daughter to spinning and other works, and lived with so much economy, that by her savings she was enabled to set up a little trade in linen.