he liberty to
eat my supper beforehand, for I have a horror of Jewish cookery. But the
handsomest girl in town is worth a little effort. I saw her lately at a
concert--a gorgeous figure, and such eyes! The old usurer, her father,
has never seen such diamonds pass through his hands."

"We are invited to see Bernhard," replied Anton, somewhat reproachfully.

"And we shall certainly see his sister too," said Fink.

"I hope not," thought Anton.

Bernhard's room was wonderfully adorned for their reception, and he
himself was a most pleasant host. The three were soon in full talk. Fink
was in one of his most benevolent moods, and Anton mentally prayed that
the beautiful sister might be kept out of sight.

But, just as the clock struck nine, the door opened, and Madam Ehrenthal
majestically crossed the threshold. "Bathsheba entering in to Solomon,"
whispered Fink to Anton, who angrily trod upon his foot in return.
Bernhard, in some embarrassment, introduced his mother, and she invited
them all three to the next room, where Ehrenthal and the fair Rosalie
awaited them. Fink soon fell into a lively discussion with her about
music, for which, in reality, he little cared; promised her an excellent
place at the ensuing races, and told her and her mother satirical
anecdotes of the best society, which, as they were excluded from it,
they particularly enjoyed. A princess of celebrated beauty came under
discussion. Fink, who had been introduced to her once upon a time,
declared that the young lady now before him might be taken for her,
except, indeed, that the princess was not quite so tall and
majestic-looking; and then he went into ecstasies over Mrs. Ehrenthal's
mosaic brooch. The paternal Ehrenthal, however, tried in vain to keep up
a conversation with him. Fink contrived not to appear aware of his
presence, without, however, being in any way rude. Every one felt it to
be in the nature of things; and Ehrenthal himself humbly acted the part
of nonentity assigned to him, and consoled himself by eating a whole
pheasant.

The supper lasted till midnight, and then Rosalie moved to the piano,
after which Fink ran his fingers over the keys, and sang a wild Spanish
song. When at length the guests took their departure, the family
remained perfectly enraptured. Rosalie ran to the piano to try and
remember the air Fink had sung; her mother was full of his praises, and
her father, spite of his temporary annihilation, was enchanted with th