raft," said Anton, laughing.

"Hear me," continued Fink; "I have no superfluous sentimentality; but in
this particular case I should not consider it friendly in you to wish to
edify me by a lecture. Is it then so unpleasant to have me to help you
through these confounded times?"

"I have known you long enough, you rogue," said Anton, "to feel sure
that your friendship for me has had a good deal to do with your offer."

"Indeed!" said Fink, sarcastically; "and how much, pray? It is a good
for nothing age: however virtuously one may act, one is so dissected
that virtue turns to egotism under the knife of malice."

Anton stroked his cheek. "I do not dissect," said he. "You have made a
generous offer, and I am not discontented with you, but with myself. In
my first delight at your arrival, I disclosed more about the baron's
circumstances and the ladies' anxieties than was right. I myself
introduced you into the mysteries of the family, and you have used the
knowledge you acquired from me in your own dexterous way. It is I who
have entangled you with the affairs of this family, and your capital
with this disturbed country. That all this should have happened so
suddenly is against my every feeling, and I am amazed at my own
incaution in having brought it about."

"Of course," laughed Fink, "it is your sweetest enjoyment to be anxious
about those around you."

"It has twice happened to me," continued Anton, "whose caution you so
often laugh at, to speak unguardedly to strangers about the
circumstances of this family. The first time that I asked help for the
Rothsattels it was refused me, and this, more than any thing else, led
me out of the counting-house hither; and now that my second indiscretion
has procured the help I did not ask, what will the consequences be?"

"To lead you hence back into the counting-house," laughed Fink. "Did one
ever see such a subtle Hamlet in jack-boots? If I could only find out
whether you secretly desire or fear such a logical conclusion!" Then
drawing a piece of money from his pocket, he said, "Heads or tails,
Anton? Blonde or brunette? Let us throw."

"You are no longer in Tennessee, you soul-seller!" laughed Anton against
his will.

"It should have been an honorable game," said Fink, coolly. "I meant to
give you the choice. Remember that hereafter."

CHAPTER XXXV.

The baron accepted. Indeed, it was difficult to resist Fink's offer:
even Anton acknowledged that. But the ba