"I came to see you that night because I wanted to know if your daughter's marriage could not be postponed for a time."
"It is fixed for to-morrow, Herr Bastable, and everything is arranged."
"I'm afraid you'll have to put it off, Ziegler." But he would not listen to this. He was deaf alike to arguments, persuasions and threats. And while we were in the midst of a heated discussion about it, Hagar herself came in.
He told her what I wished; but she added her protests to his and spoke with great passion. She was intensely agitated at the suggestion, and wound up a fierce tirade with the vehement declaration: "If it is put off, father, I will kill myself." And that ended the matter.
She was a strange girl; and the instant I said that I should urge it no more, she seized my hand and pressed her lips to it, not a little to my embarrassment. "It is you I have to thank for its taking place so soon, Herr Bastable. I know that. Father has told me all: and I shall never cease to feel that you have been my best friend throughout."
"You see," said the Jew, lifting up his hands, when she had left the room.
"All right. Let us talk about something else. How goes the matter of the papers?"
"Just as we should wish; but I was sorry you did not come to me yesterday. I had arranged for you to see some of my friends."
"I can see them to-day. I am in earnest, and mean to go through with the thing. I am as eager as you yourself, I assure you."
He sat thinking a moment. "I ought to tell you, I think. There has been some rumour again of betrayal of our plans. Only vague, I give you my honour; but hints which I do not understand. You have not spoken to any one?"