"
"Willingly," replied the youth, "the sooner the better. I must leave
Hamburgh at day-break."
The clerk led him to the house of the merchant, and entered it by a
small side door, desiring the young man to be seated, whilst he gave
some directions. In a few minutes he reappeared, bringing Von Kapell
with him. The worthy Hamburgher having no talent for a roundabout way of
doing business, said bluntly, "So Mynheer! we are well met; it will be
useless to attempt disguise with me; look at this!" and he put into his
hand the letter he had the night before received.
Overwhelmed with consternation, the young man fell at his feet.
"Oh heaven!" he cried, "I am lost for ever--my father, my indulgent, my
honourable father, is heart-broken and disgraced by my villany. My
mother!" Here he became nearly inaudible, and hid his face in his hands.
"You," he continued, "are spared all participation in the agony your
wretched son is suffering."
"Boy, boy!" said the merchant, raising him, and quite melted at this
show of penitence, "listen to me! are the bills safe? if so, you may
still hope."
"They are," eagerly exclaimed the youth; "how fortunate that I did not
listen to the offers of that rapacious Jew.
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