pass not one of all these numerous guests will remain
here.--Ah, there comes the decision! See there, marquis!"

The usher announced "Banker Splittgerber." The old man entered followed
by two men of not very presentable appearance, and whose toilet was
but little in keeping with the brilliantly-decorated room and the
aristocratic guests.

Never heeding the sneers nor contemptuous smiles, the faithful
book-keeper wound his way, through the crowd of elegantly dressed ladies
and gentlemen, accompanied by the two men, up to Ebenstreit, who, with
instinctive politeness, had placed himself near Marie.

"Gentlemen," said Splittgerber, in a loud voice, "this is Baron
Ebenstreit von Leuthen, principal of the banking-house Ludwig."

The two gentlemen approached, one of them saying, "They sent us here
from your office."

"This is not the place for business," replied Ebenstreit. "Follow me!"

"No, gentlemen, remain here," cried Marie. "Our guests present are such
intimate, devoted friends that we have nothing to conceal from them;
but on the contrary, I am convinced they will only be too happy of the
occasion to prove their friendship, of which they have so often assured
us.--These gentlemen demand the payment of a bill of exchange for eighty
thousand dollars. Take my portfolio, Ebenstreit; there is a pencil in
it. Go around and make a collection; undoubtedly the entire sum will be
soon noted down."

Ebenstreit approached the Baron von Frankenstein, saying: "Pardon me
if I recall to your memory the sum of one thousand louis d'ors, due for
four black horses three months since."

"My dear sir," cried the baron, "this is a strange manner to collect
one's debts. We were invited to a feast, and a pistol is pointed at us,
demanding our debts to be cancelled!"

"How strange! How ridiculous!" heard one here and there among the
guests, as they, with one accord, pressed toward the door to make their
exit, which they found fastened.

"Remain," cried Marie, with stately dignity. "I wish you honored guests
to be witness of this scene in the hour of justification, as you were
also present at the one when one of the noblest and best of men cursed
me.--Banker Splittgerber, take these bills of exchange for one hundred
thousand dollars. Pay these gentlemen, and devote the remainder to the
other debts as far as it will go."

As the three men withdrew by a side-drier, Marie exclaimed: "I will now
explain to you that Baron von Leuthen is