She was wholly ignorant of the condition of her own father’s property; but she thought she knew that it was far from being enough to suffice here.  And this appeared to be the case, for when Berthold Vorchtel resumed his speech he alluded to Ernst Ortlieb.  In words full of sympathy he lamented the unprecedented insult which had led him to commit the deed of violence that prevented his sharing in this consultation.  But before his removal he had given him an important commission.  Upon certain conditions—­but only upon them—­he would place a considerable portion of his fortune at his disposal for the settlement of this affair.  Still, large as was the promised sum, it would by no means be sufficient to save the Eysvogel business from ruin.  Yet he, Berthold Vorchtel, was of the opinion that its fall must be prevented at any cost.  The sincerity of this conviction he intended to prove by the best means at a merchant’s command-the pledge of his own large capital.

These words deeply moved the whole assembly, and Els saw her uncle glance at the old gentleman with a look which expressed the warm appreciation of a man of the same mind.

Casper Eysvogel, who, lost in thought, had permitted the statements of the Losunger, which were mingled with many a bitter censure of his own conduct, to pass without contradiction—­nay, apparently in a state of apathy in which he was no longer capable of following details—­ straightened his bowed figure and gazed enquiringly into Herr Berthold’s face as if he did not venture to trust his own ears; but the other looked past him, as he added that what he was doing for the Eysvogel business was due to no consideration for the man who had hitherto directed it, or his family, but solely on account of the good city whose business affairs the confidence of the Council had summoned him to direct, and her commerce, whose prosperity was equally dear to most of the Honourables around him.

Cries and gestures of assent accompanied the last sentence; but Berthold Vorchtel recognised the demonstration by remarking that it showed him that the Council, in the name of the city, would be disposed to do its share in raising the amount still lacking.

This statement elicited opposition, expressed in several quarters in low tones, and from one seat loudly, and Herr Berthold heard it.  Turning to Peter Ammon, one of the Eysvogels’ principal creditors, who was making the most animated resistance, he remarked that no one could be more unwilling than himself to use the means of the community to protect from the consequences of his conduct a citizen whose own errors had placed him in a perilous position, but, on the other hand, he would always—­and in this case with special zeal—­be ready to aid such a person in spite of the faults committed, if he believed that he could thus protect the community from serious injury.