"He sent me with a message to my aunt Sophie."  

"He was wrong; he was very foolish; he should have gone himself."  

"But, father, I have found out that the papers you want are certainly in my uncle's keeping in the Ross Markt."  

"Of course they are, my dear. Anton might have known that without employing you."  

So far Nina had performed but a small part of the task which she had before her. She found it easier to talk to the old man about the title-deeds of the house in the Kleinseite than she did to tell him of her own affairs. But the thing was to be done, though the doing of it was difficult; and, after a pause, she persevered. "And I told aunt Sophie," she said, with her eyes turned upon the ground, "of my engagement with Anton."  

"You did?"  

"Yes; and I told father."  

"And what did your father say?"  

"Father did not say much. He is poorly and weak."  

"Yes, yes; not strong enough to fight against the abomination of a Jew son-in-law. And what did your aunt say? She is strong enough to fight anybody."  

"She was very angry."  

"I suppose so, I suppose so. Well, she is right. As the world goes in Prague, my child, you will degrade yourself by marrying a Jew."  

"I want nothing prouder than to be Anton's wife," said Nina.  

"And to speak sooth," said the old man, "the Jew will degrade himself fully as much by marrying you."  

"Father, I would not have that. If I thought that my love would injure him, I would leave him."  

"He must judge for himself," said Trendellsohn, relenting somewhat.  

"He must judge for himself and for me too," said Nina.  

"He will be able, at any rate, to keep a house over your head."  

"It is not for that," said Nina, thinking of her cousin Ziska's offer. She need not want for a house and money if she were willing to sell herself for such things as them.  

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