hy condemn to obscurity a man
that possesses the most brilliant kind of talent for public offices?
The contempt felt for Shund on the part of a population who boast of
their progress is unaccountable--may be it would not be far from the
truth to believe that some influential persons are jealous of the
gifted man," concluded the banker reproachfully.

"Pardon me, please! The _thief_ and _usurer_ it might perhaps be
possible to elect," conceded Erdblatt. "But Shund's disgusting and
shameless amours could not possibly find grace with the moral sense of
the public."

"Yes, and the origin of this _moral sense_ is the sixth commandment of
the Jew Moses," said the millionaire scornfully. "I cannot understand'
how you, a man of advanced views; can talk in this manner."

"You misinterpret my words," rejoined the leader deprecatingly. "To me,
personally, Shund exists neither as a usurer nor as a debauchee.
Christian modes of judging are, of course, relegated among absurdities
that we have triumphed over. In this instance, however, there is no
question of my own personal conviction, but of the conviction of the
great multitude. And in the estimation of the multitude unbridled
liberty is just as disgraceful as the free enjoyment of what,
_morally_, is forbidden."

"You are altogether in the same rut as Schwefel."

"Have you spoken with Schwefel on this subject?" asked Erdblatt
eagerly.

"Only a moment ago. Mr. Schwefel puts greater trust in his power than
you do in yours, for he agreed to have Shund elected mayor and
delegate. Mr. Schwefel only wishes you and Sand would lend your aid."

"With pleasure! If Schwefel and Sand are won over, then all is right."

"From a hint of Schwefel's," said Greifmann, taking up a
five-hundred-florin banknote from the table, "I infer that the election
canvass is accompanied with some expense. Accept this small
contribution. As for the bills of exchange, the matter is to rest by
our agreement."

Erdblatt also backed out of the cabinet, bowing repeatedly as he
retreated.

Seraphin rushed from his hiding-place in great excitement.

"Why, Greifmann, this is terrible! Do you call that advanced education?
Do you call that progress? Those are demoralized, infernal beings. I
spit upon them! And are these the rabble that are trying to arrogate to
themselves the leadership of the German people?--rabble who ignore the
Deity, the human soul, and morality generally! But what completely
unsettles m