aron, not a word. _Our_
business, when we have any, admits of no compliments--good money and
good stock, that is our plan; and so, please God, it will be. I merely
came, in passing by"--here he waved his hand--"in passing by, to inquire
about one of the horses the baron has to sell; I promised a friend to
make inquiries. But I can settle the matter with the bailiff."

"No, no; come along with me, Ehrenthal--I am going to take my horse to
the stable."

With many bows to the ladies, Ehrenthal followed, and, arrived at the
stable-door, respectfully insisted that the baron should enter it first.
After the customary questions and answers, the baron took him to the
cow-house, and he then fervently requested to see the calves, and then
the sheep. Being an experienced man, his praise, although somewhat
exaggerated, was in the main judicious, and the baron heard it with
pleasure.

After the inspection of the sheep, there was a pause, Ehrenthal being
quite overcome by the thickness and fineness of their fleece. He nodded
and winked in ecstasy. "What wool!" said he; "what it will be next
spring! Do you know, baron, you are a most fortunate man? Have you good
accounts of the young gentleman, your son?"

"Thank you, he wrote to us yesterday, and sent us his testimonials."

"He will be like his father, a nobleman of the first order, and a rich
man too; the baron knows how to provide for his children."

"I am not laying by," was the careless reply.

"Laying by, indeed!" said the tradesman, with the utmost contempt for
any thing so plebeian; "and why should you? When old Ehrenthal is dead
and gone, you will be able to leave the young gentleman this
property--with--between ourselves--a very large sum indeed, besides a
dowry to your daughter of--of--what shall I say? of fifty thousand
dollars, at least."

"You are mistaken," said the baron, gravely; "I am not so rich."

"Not so rich!" cried Ehrenthal, ready to resent the speech, if it had
not been made by the baron himself. "Why, you may then be so any moment
you like; any one, with a property like yours, can double his capital in
ten years, without the slightest risk. Why not take joint-stock
promissory notes upon your estate?"

Ehrenthal alluded to a great joint-stock company of landed proprietors
which lent money on a first mortgage on estates. This money took the
form of promissory notes, made payable to the holder. The company itself
paid interest to those who accepted t