Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 21, 2025
To which fine offer his Majesty answers, addressing Seckendorf Junior: "Touching the proposal of my giving the Bankers Splittgerber and Daun a lift, with a million gulden, to assist in that loan of theirs, said proposal, as I am not a merchant accustomed to deal in profits and percentages, cannot in that form take effect.
The business community declared that the firm entered into the most daring and senseless undertakings, and that it must go to ruin. The old book-keeper, Splittgerber, who had for many years conducted the business, had been pensioned by the baron, and commenced for himself.
"You see that my wife is here, and we are very busy arranging for a grand dinner to-day." Herr Splittgerber, instead of replying, cast a peculiarly sad, searching glance through the beautifully-adorned room, and at the two lackeys, who stood on each side of the wide folding-doors. "Permit that these servants withdraw, and order them to close the doors," said the book-keeper, almost commandingly.
Ebenstreit, overruled by the solemn earnestness, obeyed against his will. "Would you like me to leave also, sir?" said Marie, with a calm, haughty manner. "You have only to ask it and the baron will, undoubtedly, accord your request." "On the contrary, I beg you to remain," quietly replied Splittgerber, "for what I have to say concerns you and your husband equally."
The rich banker Ebenstreit will leave this house, no longer his own, to enter the debtor's prison poor as a beggar nay, worse, a defrauder!" "Oh, how cruel you are!" groaned Ebenstreit. "Did you say, baroness, that this house is no longer his?" asked Splittgerber, alarmed. "No," she triumphantly cried. "It belongs to me, and all that is in it the pictures, statues, silver, diamonds, and pearls.
"Now, then, I beg you to say it quickly," cried Ebenstreit, impatiently; "I repeat, that we are very busy with preparing for to-day's festival." "You will not give any fete to-day," said Splittgerber, solemnly. Ebenstreit, cringing and frightened, gazed at the old man who looked sadly at him. The baroness laughed aloud, sneeringly.
Never heeding the sneers nor contemptuous smiles, the faithful book-keeper wound his way, through the crowd of elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, accompanied by the two men, up to Ebenstreit, who, with instinctive politeness, had placed himself near Marie. "Gentlemen," said Splittgerber, in a loud voice, "this is Baron Ebenstreit von Leuthen, principal of the banking-house Ludwig."
"Thanks; I will then await you." Splittgerber departed, and Marie returned to Ebenstreit who, amazed, muttered some unintelligible words, having listened to her mysterious conversation with the old book-keeper.
Marie called loudly after Splittgerber, saying, "I have a word to speak to you." The book-keeper remained standing near the door, and turning with downcast face, demanded of Marie what she wished.
She demanded, when I dismissed you, that I should compensate you with the liberality of a true nobleman." "Oh, would that you had not done it, baroness!" cried Splittgerber "would that you had permitted the old faithful pioneer in the business to remain by your husband! He might have warded off this misfortune and saved you by his experience and advice."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking