lipped down, and announced to his principal that their work
was done.

"At last!" replied the merchant, drawing a long breath; and then he went
up to announce the fact to their friendly escort.

He, for his part, had contrived to get through the night in his own way;
first, he thoroughly enjoyed the supper and wine brought him by the
terrified maids, and found leisure to say a few encouraging words to the
prettiest of them. Then he contemplated the dirty bed, and at last threw
himself, with a French oath, upon it, looking now at the distorted
countenance of the roguish host, who sat opposite him on the ground, now
at the ceiling; and, while half asleep himself, complimenting the
merchant, who looked in from time to time, upon his capacity of keeping
awake a whole night. At length the youth fell fast asleep. At least the
merchant found him in the morning outstretched on the coarse coverlet,
his delicate face shaded by his long black hair, his small hands
crossed, and a pleasant smile playing around his lips.

As he lay there he afforded no incorrect type of the aristocracy of his
nation: noble child that he was, with the passions, and perhaps the sins
of a man; while over against him crouched the coarse build of the
fettered plebeian, who pretended to sleep too, but often cast a
malicious glance at the recumbent form before him.

The aristocrat sprang up when the merchant approached the bed, and,
throwing the window open, said, "Good-day: it is morning, I see; I have
slept admirably." Next he called to a patrol passing by, briefly
informed the leader how things stood, made over to him the landlord and
the remainder of the supper, and desired him to stop at once, and keep
guard over the house until he should return. Then he ordered the
wagoners to harness the horses, and led the travelers out into the gray
dawn of a comfortless-looking day.

On their way to the agent the merchant said to Anton, "We shall divide
the most necessary visits between us. Tell our customers that we have no
kind of intention of oppressing them; that, on the restoration of some
degree of order, they may reckon upon the greatest forbearance and
consideration--nay, under conditions, upon an extension of credit, but
that at present we insist upon securities. We shall not effect much in
this confusion; but that these gentlemen should be, at a time like this,
even reminded of our firm, is worth a good deal." Then, in a lower tone,
he added, "The t