The discussion soon waxed warm as to whether Jews did or did not aspire to marriage with Christians of rank, the majority opining to believe that they placed title and station above even riches, and that no people had such an intense appreciation of the value of condition as the Hebrew.
“That Frenchman who was here the other day, Marsac, told me that the man who could get the Stephen Cross for old Oppovich, and the title of Chevalier, would be sure of his daughter's hand in marriage.”
“And does old Ignaz really care for such a thing?”
“No, but the girl does; she's the haughtiest and the vainest damsel in the province.”
It may be believed that I found it very hard to listen to such words as these in silence, but it was of the last importance that I should not make what is called an éclat, or bring the name of Oppovich needlessly forward for town talk and discussion; I therefore repressed my indignation and appeared to take little interest in the conversation.
“You've seen the Fräulein, of course?” asked one of me.
“To be sure he has, and has been permitted to kneel and kiss her hand on her birthday,” broke in another.
And while some declared that this was mere exaggeration and gossip, others averred that they had been present and witnessed this act of homage themselves.
“What has this young gentleman seen of this hand-kissing?” said a lady of the party, turning to me.
“That it was always an honor conferred even more than a homage rendered, Madam,” said I, stepping forward and kissing her hand; and a pleasant laughter greeted this mode of concluding the controversy.