‘Gottlieb von Groschen I am,’ answered her father, ‘and the Kaiser——­’

’’S as fond of a pretty girl as we are!  Down with her, and no more drivelling!  It’s only for a moment, old Measure and Scales!’

’I tell you, rascals, I know your master, and if you’re not punished for this, may I die a beggar!’ exclaimed Gottlieb, jumping with rage.

’May you die as rich as an abbot!  And so you will, if you don’t bring her down, for I’ve sworn to see her; there ‘s the end of it, man!’

‘I’ll see, too, if the laws allow this villany!’ cried Gottlieb.  ’Insulting a peaceful citizen! in his own house! a friend of your emperor!  Gottlieb von Groschen!’

’Groschen?  We’re cousins, then!  You wouldn’t shut out your nearest kin?  Devil’s lightning!  Don’t you know me?  Pfennig?  Von Pfennig!  This here’s Heller:  that’s Zwanziger:  all of us Vons, every soul!  You’re not decided?  This’ll sharpen you, my jolly King Paunch!’

And Margarita heard the ruffian step as if to get swing for a blow.  She hurried into the passage, and slipping in front of her father, said to his assailant: 

‘You have asked for me!  I am here!’

Her face was colourless, and her voice seemed to issue from between a tightened cord.  She stood with her left foot a little in advance, and her whole body heaving and quivering:  her arms folded and pressed hard below her bosom:  her eyes dilated to a strong blue:  her mouth ashy white.  A strange lustre, as of suppressed internal fire, flickered over her.

’My name ’s Schwartz Thier, and so ‘s my nature!’ said the fellow with a grin; ’but may I never smack lips with a pretty girl again, if I harm such a young beauty as this!  Friendly dealing’s my plan o’ life.’

‘Clear out of my house, then, fellow, and here’s money for you,’ said Gottlieb, displaying a wrathfully-trembling handful of coin.

’Pish! money! forty times that wouldn’t cover my bet!  And if it did?  Shouldn’t I be disgraced? jeered at for a sheep-heart?  No, I’m no ninny, and not to be diddled.  I’ll talk to the young lady!  Silence, out there! all’s going proper’:  this to his comrades through the door.  ’So, my beautiful maiden! thus it stands:  We saw you at the window, looking like a fresh rose with a gold crown on.  Here are we poor fellows come to welcome the Kaiser.  I began to glorify you.  “Schwartz Thier!” says Henker Rothhals to me, “I’ll wager you odds you don’t have a kiss of that fine girl within twenty minutes, counting from the hand-smack!” Done! was my word, and we clapped our fists together.  Now, you see, that’s straightforward!  All I want is, not to lose my money and be made a fool of—­leaving alone that sugary mouth which makes mine water’; and he drew the back of his hand along his stubbled jaws:  ’So, come! don’t hesitate! no harm to you, my beauty, but a compliment, and Schwartz Thier’s your friend and anything else you like for ever after.  Come, time’s up, pretty well.’