So Ann took courage, and told him that Ursula had, of her deep malice, declared that Herdegen was one of the richest youths of Germany, and that by reason of this the Sultan had demanded the great price of twenty-four thousand sequins.

The truth was out; I marvelled to mark that my grand-uncle was not dismayed as I had looked to see him; nay, but he laughed aloud and said:  “That would indeed be somewhat new and strange!  You children would ever rack your brains over the Italian poets rather than over matters of mine and thine, albeit that is the axis on which the world turns.  There would, in truth, be no justice in so vast a sum, but that in the markets of Egypt they reckon in Venice sequins with none but the Franks; nigh upon thirteen of their dirhems go to the gold sequin, and thus we have-let me reckon—­the old trader has not forgotten his skill on his sick-bed—­we have one thousand eight hundred and forty and six sequins; and that is a vast ransom still such as is never paid but for lords of the highest degree.  Four and twenty thousand sequins!” And again he laughed aloud.  “It is easily spoken, children, but you cannot even guess what it would mean.  Believe me when I tell you that many a well-to-do merchant in Nuremberg, who is at the head of a fine trade, would be at his wits’ end if he were desired to pay down half of your four and twenty thousand sequins in hard coin!”

Then I took up my parable and told him how Eppelein had stamped the sum on his mind, and that he for certain was in the right, both as to the sum and as to the Venice sequins, forasmuch as that Herdegen, to the end that he might know it rightly, had told him that they should be ducats such as he had three in a red stuff wrapper, and Kunz and I likewise each two, in our money-boxes as christening-gifts.

Now while I thus spoke the old man was sorely troubled, and his wax-white face turned paler at each word.  He raised himself up, leaning on the arms of the great chair, so high that we were filled with amazement, and he gazed about him with his glassy eyes and then said, still holding himself up:  “That, that....  And yesterday, only yesterday....  The captive himself....  Four and twenty thousand sequins, do you say?.... and I—­oh, what were my words?....  But what old Im Hoff promises that he will do....  And yet....  If you maids had but been duteous children, if you had but come to me first, as trustful daughters....  Only yesterday I might—­Yes, perchance I might....”  And then he stormed forth:  “But who is there indeed to care for me?  Who ever comes nigh me with true love and honest trustfulness?  Not one, no, not one!....  Ursula—­the lad whom from an infant—­and you—­both of you, what have you done?....  Yesterday, only yesterday!....  But to-day ....  Four and twenty thousand sequins!” His arms on a sudden failed him, and he sank back in a deep swoon, his colorless face drooping on his shoulder.  Now, while we did all in our power to revive him, and while one serving-man ran for the leech and another for the friar, meseemed that the old man’s left side was strangely stiff and numb; yet the low flame of his feeble life was still burning.