"But you must, nevertheless, procure the parchment," interposed Laura.
Knips shrugged his shoulders. "If it is possible," he said; "but I don't know whether the man will give it up for this sum."
Mrs. Struvelius was again putting her hand into her pocket; but Ilse held it back, and Laura cried out:
"We will give no more."
"Nevertheless," continued the Magister, impelled by the determination of his judges, "as doubts have been raised of its genuineness, the parchment may have lost some of its value for the dealer. But if I should succeed in being of service to you, I respectfully entreat you not to bear any malice against me for the unfortunate share which, without any fault on my part, I have had in this sad business. It has grieved me much the whole time; and since the criticism of Professor Werner has been printed, I have daily lamented that I ever set eyes on the parchment. I should sink into an abyss of misery if I were to lose my respected patrons."
These words excited the compassion of his judges, and Mrs. Struvelius said, kindly:
"We believe you, for it is a dreadful feeling to have deceived others, even unintentionally."
But Laura, who had established herself as president of the council, decided shortly:
"I beg that all who have taken part in this will meet here to-morrow at the same hour. I give you to that time, Magister Knips, to procure the parchment. After the expiration of this respite our house will be closed to you, our washing withdrawn, and notice given to the Hahn family. See, therefore, that we come to an amicable settlement."
The Magister approached the table, drew with one finger the gold pieces into the palm of his hand, which he modestly held under the edge of the table, made three low bows, and took leave of the ladies.