ot sleep,
Sidonie; I must think of business.'"

An hour later a carriage with four horses rolled away from the door. The
following morning Commissary Walter received a business call from
Loewenberg, and was convinced, by the cool, shrewd manner of the man,
that the circumstances of the Count Zaminsky could not be so desperate
as was commonly believed.

Eight days after, the baron received a letter from his legal adviser,
containing a copy of one from Commissary Walter. These experienced
lawyers both agreed in thinking that the mortgage in question was not
positively undesirable; and when Ehrenthal next called, he found the
baron's mind made up to the purchase. The irresistible inducement was
the making a few thousand dollars. He was resolved to think the
mortgage good, and would perhaps have bought it even had his lawyer
positively dissuaded him.

Ehrenthal, having a journey to take to that part of the country, most
unselfishly offered to complete the purchase for the baron, who was
pleased with this arrangement.

In about a fortnight he received the deeds. All were well contented with
their share in the business, but Veitel Itzig with most reason, for he
had by it got a hold over his master, and was now friend and confidant
in the most secret transactions. The baron took out his richly-inlaid
casket, and, in place of the fair white parchments, put in a thick,
dirty bundle of deeds. Having done this, he joined the ladies, and gave
a humorous account of Ehrenthal's bows and compliments.

"I hate that man," said Lenore.

"On this occasion he has behaved with a certain disinterestedness,"
replied her father. "But there is no denying that people of his class
have their absurdities of manner, and it is difficult to help laughing
at them."

That evening Ehrenthal was so cheerful in his family circle that his
wife asked him whether he had settled the affair with the baron.

"I have," he gayly replied.

"He is a handsome man," remarked the daughter.

"He is a good man," rejoined Ehrenthal, "but he has his weaknesses. He
is one of those who require low bows and civil speeches, and pay others
to think for them. There must be such people in the world, or what would
become of people of our profession?"

About the same time Veitel was relating to his friend, the ex-advocate,
the whole particulars of the affair. Hippus had taken off his
spectacles, and sat on a corner of the four-cornered chest Mrs. Pinkus
was pleased