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Updated: June 11, 2025
"And allow me to accompany you home," said a mocking voice behind; and as Podstadsky turned with a start to see whence it came, he met the fiery black eyes of Eskeles Flies, who approached with a tall wax-light in his hand. The count trembled inwardly, but recovering his self-possession, he asked, with a haughty smile: "Are we in the carnival, and do you represent the Israelitish god of love?"
I am Gunther's for life, and for death, which is the birth of immortality!" "He is a dishonored man!" said Eskeles, frowning. "And I, too, will be dishonored to-morrow," replied Rachel. Her father started. He had forgotten the disgrace which threatened her. "Rachel," said he, with exceeding tenderness, "I come to rescue you from shame and suffering." "To rescue me?" echoed she.
He wanted gold, and cared very little whence it came," cried Eskeles Flies, with a contemptuous shrug. "His munificent mother having emptied the imperial treasury, the prudent son had to replenish it.
He rejoices in the title of 'woman-killer. Only look how he sneaks along as the tribe of Israel are dogging him home!" "The Israelites are escorting him home," jeered the multitude, and the procession moved on, never stopping until it reached the count's own hotel. Once there, Eskeles Flies, in a loud voice, bade him adieu, and requested to know whether he should accompany him farther.
But he claimed an indemnity for the expenses incurred by putting his regiments upon a war-footing, and demanded twenty millions. He then agreed to take fifteen, but was finally obliged to be content with ten, which was all that the Dutch would allow him. Eskeles Flies besought his Amsterdam correspondent to procure him this loan, which he was ready to advance to the republic in four instalments.
"Yes, by the God of Israel, he will," replied Eskeles Flies, so loud that his voice was heard by the people around. "Yes, thanks to the emperor, his subjects before the law are all equal, and Jew and Christian are alike amenable to its judgments. Long live Joseph the Second, the father of his people!"
He was silent for a few moments, then raising his head, the emperor saw that his face had become deadly pale. In a low, unsteady voice he continued: "Your majesty knows that I once had a daughter." "HAD? You have a daughter, baron." "She is dead to me," murmured Eskeles so inaudibly that the emperor scarcely heard him. "She left me a year ago for a man whom she loved better than her father."
This was bad enough of itself, but the count's body-guard were all in a titter, and every man enjoyed the jest except himself. See "Letters of a French Traveller," vol. i., p. 405. "See," cried one, "Herr Eskeles Flies has caught a marten in his hen-roost and is lighting him home." "And the marten is the fine Count Podstadsky-Liechtenstein," cried another. "I know him.
No, my father, I shall die before the executioner has time to strike his second blow." "Rachel, my Rachel, do not speak such dreadful words!" cried Eskeles, wringing his hands in despair. "You cannot be a Christian, I know it; for their belief is unworthy of a pure soul. How could you ever give the hand of fellowship to a race who have outlawed you, because you scorn to utter a falsehood!
Tell me, then, without reserve, who is the man that receives a thousand ducats for revealing a secret of state to you." The banker started as if he had received a shot, and glanced inquiringly at the emperor. "Was that in the letter?" asked he. Joseph gave it into his hands. Eskeles perused it eagerly, and then, murmured in a voice of exceeding contrition, "Ay, it is there. I was indiscreet."
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