Involuntarily the crust which surrounded his heart gave way, and he
became gentle and eager for sympathy. He held out his hand to Bertram
and nodded to him. "You are right, my son," said he, gently, "I
should not have kept my sorrows from you. It is a comfort, perhaps, to
unbosom one's self. Listen, then--but no! first tell me what is said
of me in the city, and, above all, what is said of me at the Bourse?
Ah? you cast your eyes down--Bertram, I must and will know all. Speak
out freely. I have courage to hear the utmost." But yet his voice
trembled as he spoke, and his lips twitched convulsively.

Bertram answered sadly: "What do you care about the street gossip of
envious people? You know that you have enemies, because you are rich
and high-minded. You have long been envied because your house is the
most extensive and solid in all Europe, and because your drafts stand
at par in all the markets. They are jealous of the fame of your firm,
and for that very reason they whisper all sorts of things that they do
not dare to say aloud. But why should you let such miserable scandal
worry you?"

Bertram tried to smile, but it was a sorrowful, anxious one, which
did not escape Gotzkowsky. "Ah!" said he, "these light whisperings of
calumny are like the single snow-flakes which finally collect together
and roll on and on, and at last become an avalanche which buries up
our honor and our good name. Tell me, then, Bertram, what do they
whisper?"

Bertram answered in a low, timid voice: "They pretend to know that
your house has suffered immense losses; that you were not able to
meet your drafts; that all your wealth is unfounded; and that--but why
should I repeat all the old women's and newspaper stories?"

"Even the newspapers talk about it, then?" muttered Gotzkowsky to
himself.

"Yes, the _Vossian Gazette_," continued Bertram, "has an article
in which it speaks mysteriously and sympathizingly of the impending
failure of one of our most eminent houses. This is said to aim at you,
father."

"And the other paper, _Spener's Journal_?"

"Is sorry to join in the statement, and confirms it to-day."

Gotzkowsky broke out into a mocking laugh, his countenance brightened
with indignation, and his features expressed their former energy and
decision. "O world! O men!" he exclaimed, "how pitiful, how mean you
are! You know, Bertram, how much good I have done these men. I have
protected them as a friend in the time of their need and