"Who--_I_ an Ultramontane? That is ridiculous! Sir, I am at the head of
the men of progress--I am the most liberal of the liberals--that, sir,
is placarded on every wall."

"How come you, then, to call Mr. Sand a good-for-nothing scoundrel?"

"Simply for this reason, because, he is a usurer and a dissipated
wretch."

"Then I am in the right, after all! Mr. Sand belongs to the ranks of
the _pious_," jeered the banker.

"Mr. Greifmann, you are insulting!"

"Nothing is further from my intention than to wound your feelings, my
dear Mr. Sand! Be cool and reasonable. Reflect, if you please. Shund,
you say, puts out money at thirty per cent. and higher, and therefore
he is a usurer. Is it not thus that you reason?"

"Why, yes! The scoundrel has brought many a poor devil to ruin by means
of his Jewish speculations!"

"Your pious indignation," commended the millionaire, "is praiseworthy,
because it is directed against what you mistake for a piece of
scoundrelism. Meanwhile, please to calm down your feelings, and let
your reason resume her seat of honor so that you may reflect upon my
words. You know that in consequence of recent legislation every
capitalist is free to put out money at what rate soever he pleases.
Were Shund to ask _fifty_ per cent., he would not be stepping outside
of the law. He would then be, as he now is, an honest man. Would he
not?"

"It is as you say, so far as the law is concerned!"

"Furthermore, if after prudently weighing, after wisely calculating,
the _pros_ and _cons_, Shund concludes to draw in his money, and in
consequence many a poor devil is ruined, as you say, surely no
reasonable man will on that account condemn legally authorized
speculation!"

"Don't talk to me of legally authorized speculation. The law must not
legalize scoundrelism; but whosoever by cunning usury brings such to
ruin is and ever will be a scoundrel."

"Why a scoundrel, Mr. Sand? Why, pray?"

"Surely it is clear enough--because he has ruined men!"

"Ruined! How? Evidently through means legally permitted. Therefore,
according to your notion the law _does_ legalize scoundrelism; at least
it allows free scope to scoundrels. Mr. Sand, no offence intended: I am
forced, however, once more to suspect that you do, perhaps without
knowing it, belong to the _pious_. For they think and feel just as you
do, that is, in accordance with so-called laws of morality, religious
views and principles. That, judged by such stand