very cruel," murmured the lady. "You know not what torture
you are preparing for me."

"If I did not know it, I would not undertake the enterprise that is to
serve us both. I have told you that I love Elise, but I have not told
you how deep and sacred this love is. I would cheerfully venture my
life for her, but now I dare to interfere with her love, and earn her
hatred."

"You have, then, already made your plan?"

"I have made my plan, and if you will allow me to escort you to
your hotel, I will disclose it to you, so that we may arrange the
particulars together."

"Come, then," said she, grasping his hand warmly, "and may God assist
us, and restore to you your bride, and to me my lover!"

* * * * *

CHAPTER XI.

THE JEW EPHRAIM.

Much sorrow and tribulation were suffered during this time by the
inhabitants of Berlin. But the saddest lot of all fell to the Jews,
who were threatened with the greatest danger. In Berlin, as everywhere
else, they only led a tolerated, reviled, and derided existence.
They possessed no rights, only duties; no honor, only insults; no
dignities, but humiliation and disgrace. Now they were called on to
give up the last and only thing which shed some gleam of brightness on
their poor, down-trodden existence--their gold and their treasures.

The Russian commander had imposed upon the Jewish community in Berlin
a special tax; and as they hesitated about paying it, and declared
themselves incapable of raising such a large sum, General von
Tottleben had the three elders of the Jews arrested and strictly
guarded in the Vincenti House in Brueder Street.

But who could despise or blame the poor Jews for not wishing to
give up their gold? Gold was to them a condition of existence, their
future, their happiness, their family. Gold enabled some of them to
raise themselves from the dust and degradation to which the cruel
severity of _Christian charity_ had condemned them, and to indulge
in human aspirations, human happiness, and human feelings. Only those
among them who possessed wealth were tolerated, and dared hope by
strenuous industry, ceaseless activity, and fortunate speculation,
to amass sufficient fortune to found a family or beget children. The
happiness of domestic life was only allowed to them on condition of
their being rich.

Frederick the Great had learned with indignation that the Jewish
families in Berlin far exceeded the number of one