"And have they the same ideas?"
"Not by any means," replied Sofronof, who had some acquaintance with Jewish society. "This man is an exception. He is an idealist, a dreamer, a reformer. An original, he walks alone."
"A dangerous man," muttered Bavorof. "He is obstinate, no doubt, like all men with convictions, imbued with a fervent mysticism and plunged in the clouds of spirituality. He sets up a standard of morals and right that takes with weak-minded people everywhere; above all, the women. If he were a Catholic I would have arrested him and banished him without further ceremony; but he is only a Jew, so we can have a little patience."
"At Warsaw," said Muse, "the Israelites play a grand rôle. It is difficult to distinguish them from the rest of society at first sight."
"But from what I have heard they are not friends with the feudalists."
"It is not so; they are reconciled."
"That is a pity. Then we must sow discord among them. Divide and conquer is one of our maxims."
"You are a strange politician, dear count," said Sofronof; "you think aloud."
"Like a celebrated minister. To-day it is the best way to deceive the world. Men are always disposed to attribute to you ideas contrary to those which you loudly proclaim."
Pikulinski confirmed this sentence with two loud "yeses," and went away wondering if he could in any way have compromised himself.