"Then I may invite him in your name and Judith's?"
"Only in mine. Jewish girls do not send invitations to cavaliers."
"Of course," assented the magistrate. "You are always so full of tact. But she will be present, I suppose?"
"I hardly think so."
"But Nathaniel, that is absurd," said Wroblewski, energetically. "You demand satisfaction for your daughter, not because she is a Jewess, but because she is a lady of unsullied character. Accordingly, you must adapt yourself to the manner one would choose if she were a Christian."
Nathaniel paused. "Very well, I don't mind," he said, abruptly.
Herr von Wroblewski heaved a sigh of relief. "You shall now see that I am your friend. This evening you shall have news."
Two hours later he was able to announce the success of his mission. The report of the reconciliation spread through the town. Christians were annoyed, and Jews delighted; but both asked, "How much did it cost Nathaniel?"
When Judith entered the sitting-room the next morning shortly before eleven, she heard, in spite of the closed blinds, a muffled noise in the street. There stood the inquisitive crowd, shoulder to shoulder. Turning pale, she stepped back.
"Why are you astonished?" Nathaniel asked, smiling. "The sight to-day will be more wonderful than that of five days ago. It has many times happened that a new lord has entered the town, but never before that a Schlachzig has come to beg pardon of a Jewess. I would give a good deal if--"