d you from it. If you had taken my advice then, you would
probably never have bought that mortgage."

"The thing is done, however," returned the baron, irascibly.

"First of all, baron, I must beg you to admit that I am innocent of this
matter."

"That is immaterial now."

"It is immaterial to you," said Ehrenthal, "but not to me, and to my
honor as a man of business."

"What do you mean by that?" cried the baron, in a tone that made
Ehrenthal start. "Do you dare to insinuate that any thing can be
immaterial to me about which even your honor is sensitive?"

"Why are you so irritable, baron? I say nothing against your honor God
forbid that I should."

"You spoke of it, though," said the unhappy man.

"How can you thus misunderstand an old acquaintance? I only wish for
your declaration that I am innocent of the purchase of this mortgage."

"Be it so," cried the baron, stamping.

"Then it is all right. And should a misfortune befall us, and you be
obliged to purchase the property, we will see what can be done. It is a
bad time to lend money; but still I will advance you a sum in return for
a mortgage on the property."

He then proceeded to make arrangements for his departure as the baron's
representative, and left him a prey to conflicting emotions.

Was he saved? was he lost? A fear came over him that this mortgage would
decide his fate. He resolved to go to Rosmin himself, and not leave
matters to Ehrenthal. But then came the painful thought that he must
needs repose unlimited trust in this man, lest the man learn to mistrust
him, and so he drifted here and there in a sea of dangers. The waves
rose and threatened his very life.

That evening Ehrenthal entered his son's sick-room, and placed the
newly-executed document on his bed. "Canst thou give me thy hand now?"
said he to his son, who looked gloomily before him. "I am to travel for
the baron. I am to buy him a new estate. We have settled it all
together. Here is his signature authorizing me to act for him. I am to
advance him capital; if he is wise, he may again become a man of
substance."

Bernhard looked sorrowfully at his father, and shook his head. "That is
not enough, my poor father," said he.

"But I am reconciled to the baron, and he has himself confessed that I
am not to blame for his misfortunes. Is not that enough, my son?"

"No," said the invalid; "so long as you keep that wicked man Itzig in
your office, no joy can shine in on my life."