"Are you up, my daughter? Can I come in?"
Rachel hastened to open the door, and her father entered the room with a bright smile.
"So soon dressed, Rachel! I was afraid that I might have disturbed your slumbers," said he, drawing her to him, and kissing her. "Not only dressed, but dressed so charmingly, that one would suppose the sun were your lover, and had already visited you here. Or, perhaps you expect some of your adoring counts this morning—hey!"
"No, father, I expect no one."
"So much the better, for I have glorious news for you. Do you remember what I promised when you consented to let me punish Count Podstadsky after my own fashion?"
"No, dear father, I do not remember ever to have been bribed to obey your commands."
"Then, I will tell you my news, my glorious news. I have become a freiherr."
"You were always a free man, my father; your millions have long ago made you a freiherr."
"Bravely spoken, my Jewess," cried Eskeles Flies. "I will reward you by telling you what I have bought for you. A carriage-load of illuminated manuscripts decorated with exquisite miniatures, that you may enrich your library with Christian Bibles and papal bulls of every size and form."
"My dear father, how I thank you for these treasures!"