ith great
cordiality, and after they had furthermore agreed on the principal
conditions, to the effect that a fourth part of the purchase-price
should without fail be paid immediately in cash, and the balance paid
into the Hamburg bank in three months' time, Kohlhaas called for wine
in order to celebrate such a happy conclusion of the bargain. He told
the maid-servant who entered with the bottles, to order Sternbald,
the groom, to saddle the chestnut horse for him, as he had to ride to
the capital, where he had some business to attend to. He gave them to
understand that, in a short time, when he returned, he would talk more
frankly concerning what he must for the present continue to keep to
himself. As he poured out the wine into the glasses, he asked about
the Poles and the Turks who were just then at war, and involved the
bailiff in many political conjectures on the subject; then, after
finally drinking once more to the success of their business, he
allowed the latter to depart.

When the bailiff had left the room, Lisbeth fell down on her knees
before her husband. "If you have any affection for me," she cried,
"and for the children whom I have borne you; if you have not already,
for what reason I know not, cast us out from your heart, then tell me
what these horrible preparations mean!"

Kohlhaas answered, "Dearest wife, they mean nothing which need cause
you any alarm, as matters stand at present. I have received a decree
in which I am told that my complaint against the Squire Wenzel Tronka
is a piece of impertinent mischief-making. As there must exist some
misunderstanding in this matter, I have made up my mind to present my
complaint once more, this time in person, to the sovereign himself."

"But why will you sell your house?" she cried, rising with a look of
despair.

The horse-dealer, clasping her tenderly to his breast, answered,
"Because, dear Lisbeth, I do not care to remain in a country where
they will not protect me in my rights. If I am to be kicked I would
rather be a dog than a man! I am sure that my wife thinks about this
just as I do."

"How do you know," she asked wildly, "that they will not protect you
in your rights? If, as is becoming, you approach the Elector humbly
with your petition, how do you know that it will be thrown aside or
answered by a refusal to listen to you?"

"Very well!" answered Kohlhaas; "if my fears on the subject are
unfounded, my house isn't sold yet, either. The Elec