My major-domo, who returned home while I was speaking to the landlord, told me that he had purchased four trunks as I desired. I looked at them, and was well pleased. He asked me what I intended to do with them. I told he had only to follow me, and he would soon know. I ordered him to take our casket under his arm, and conducted him to the shop of one of the richest goldsmiths in Genoa, whom I requested to lend me for about twenty-four hours a rich service of silver plates and dishes, in consideration of an honest profit, and depositing the value of the plate in his hands. The goldsmith agreed to the proposal; we agreed as to the sum I should pay him for the loan: and, choosing the service I liked best, I deposited nine thousand franks with the goldsmith by way of security. After which, I desired Sayavedra to fetch the two trunks, put the plate in them himself, and have them carried home; which he did accordingly. All my relations assembled at my lodgings the next day. My landlord, who piqued himself on being an excellent cook, gave us a specimen of his ability in the difficult art of making ragouts, which he served up in so delicious a style, that my cousins, and even my uncle, confessed that they had never eaten better. If they had not expected such excellent fare, how much more were they surprised when they saw the sideboard set out with elegant plate, and the plates and dishes of the same metal. They could not help observing, that a traveller ran great risk in carrying such a service of plate about with him, and particularly in Italy, where thieves so plentifully abound. The good Don Bertrand, who had made the same reflections at sight of the display of silver, applauded their opinion. “It is your own fault, my nephew,” cried he; “you might easily have avoided living at an inn in a city where you have so many relations. I grant you that this is the best inn in Genoa; but that signifies nothing. You are yet young, and I, having had more experience, would caution you against trusting to the goodness of the locks or padlocks on your trunks, because either the landlord, landlady, their children, or servants, always keep two or three keys to every room in their house. If you believe me in this respect,” continued he, “since you refuse to take up your residence at my house, you will at least send your plate and jewels thither, where they would be in safety until your departure, were there a million of gold.”