As long as they were on the street they maintained an air of pride and vexation; but as soon as they entered Gotzkowsky’s house and stood in his presence, they were all gentleness, humility, and friendliness.  With tears they implored Gotzkowsky to have pity, and to beg General Tottleben to have compassion on them.  They vowed eternal gratitude to him, and swore with solemn oaths that if he succeeded in relieving the Jews from the special impost, they would love him forever, and be everlastingly thankful to him.

Gotzkowsky smiled in pity.  “That means that you would feel yourselves under obligations to me, and, if ever you got me in your power, you would take the opportunity to ruin me.  But that is of no consequence to me.  This impost is a crying injustice, and therefore will I plead for you, for it never shall be said that Gotzkowsky suffered an injustice to be done when he could prevent it.  Go home in peace, for, if I can, I will help you.”

“How arrogant this man is!” said Itzig, when they had left the house.  “One would suppose that he had all virtue and honor on lease, just as we have the mint.”

“And if he has,” said Ephraim with a laugh, “if he has the monopoly of virtue and honor, it is only to trade on.  No doubt his speculation will turn out just as profitably as ours with the mint.  No doubt he will coin it into light eight-groschen pieces, cheat the people with them, and make more than his expenses, as we have done.”

“But woe be unto him,” growled Itzig, “if any light coin of his virtue come into my hands!  I will throw them back into his face till blood flows, and I will never forgive him that this day we have had to stand before him begging and pleading.  If he ever comes to grief, I will remember it.  If the Jew has no money, he is nobody.  Well, we will see what Gotzkowsky is worth without money.  Let me tell you we will all of us live to see that day.  He has too much stupid generosity, which some day or other will run away with his purse, and then there will be a grand blow-up, honor and virtue and all, sky high.  Then there will be no more talk about the great Gotzkowsky and his virtue and all that.  Oh!  I do so rejoice over that time a-coming.  But in the mean time I am so very glad that Gotzkowsky can be of some service to us!”

[Footnote 1:  Buesching’s Travels, 1780.]

[Footnote 2:  “Annals of the Jews in the Prussian States,” Berlin.—­UNGER.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER XII.

THE RUSSIAN GENERAL AND THE GERMAN MAN.