Baroness Orczy

“ Rosenstein through his very calling in life, was accustomed to note every change in a human face. The young peasant’s keen frank eyes were the very mirror of his mind within, and the Jew soon saw that his narrative had had a sufficient air of truth to have, at any rate, severely shaken András’ conviction of his guilt. ”

“ CHAPTER XVIII ROSENSTEIN THE JEW Nobody knew in the village exactly how Rosenstein, the Jew lived, and no one could really boast of ever having entered the small cottage, in which he had lived for over a quarter of a century. He kept neither man nor maid, so must have done every kind of work for himself, from stewing his own “gulyás,” to looking after his own chickens, of which he kept a few in the bit of garden at the back, and his cow, a beautiful milcher, from the Kisfalu herd, which he had bought from Kemény András. ”

“ I cannot save my poor old shoulders from your riding-whip, seeing that you have the advantage over me in point of strength and age, but, surely if I have deserved a beating, you would not be cowardly enough to thrash me, who am weak, and let him, who is strong, and far guiltier than I, go free. ”

“ You hold Kisfalu, Bideskút, Zárda as security ... what chance would I have?”
“If you seize the house of Bideskút, and drive the noble lord and his family away from their home, you have no better chance of getting the remainder of your principal and interest, and, according to your statement, you will then have paid 950,000 florins for a house, a garden, a few stables, and two or three fields.”
“The house is comfortable,” said the Jew placidly. “I can live in it, if I like. I am a poor man, with simple tastes; the garden and the fields will yield me all I want.” ”

“ Look here, Rosenstein, supposing all you say is correct ... now do not interrupt me, I said supposing, as there are two of you, each with a different tale ... you have admitted yourself that three of the loans are unsecured, but that for the pleasure of seeing a poor old man and his family turned out of the home, which has belonged to their ancestors for hundreds of years, you are willing to lose the bulk of your principal and interest. ”

“ What is it to me. if someone else helped you, in doing your lying, cheating trade; I have not had any dealings with other miscreants save you. But if it will ease your sore shoulders to see those of your accomplice smart, well! ”