Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 10,116 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith.

Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 10,116 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith.

‘Gottlieb von Groschen I am,’ answered her father, ‘and the Kaiser——­’

’’S as fond of a pretty girl as we are!  Down with her, and no more drivelling!  It’s only for a moment, old Measure and Scales!’

’I tell you, rascals, I know your master, and if you’re not punished for this, may I die a beggar!’ exclaimed Gottlieb, jumping with rage.

’May you die as rich as an abbot!  And so you will, if you don’t bring her down, for I’ve sworn to see her; there ‘s the end of it, man!’

‘I’ll see, too, if the laws allow this villany!’ cried Gottlieb.  ’Insulting a peaceful citizen! in his own house! a friend of your emperor!  Gottlieb von Groschen!’

’Groschen?  We’re cousins, then!  You wouldn’t shut out your nearest kin?  Devil’s lightning!  Don’t you know me?  Pfennig?  Von Pfennig!  This here’s Heller:  that’s Zwanziger:  all of us Vons, every soul!  You’re not decided?  This’ll sharpen you, my jolly King Paunch!’

And Margarita heard the ruffian step as if to get swing for a blow.  She hurried into the passage, and slipping in front of her father, said to his assailant: 

‘You have asked for me!  I am here!’

Her face was colourless, and her voice seemed to issue from between a tightened cord.  She stood with her left foot a little in advance, and her whole body heaving and quivering:  her arms folded and pressed hard below her bosom:  her eyes dilated to a strong blue:  her mouth ashy white.  A strange lustre, as of suppressed internal fire, flickered over her.

’My name ’s Schwartz Thier, and so ‘s my nature!’ said the fellow with a grin; ’but may I never smack lips with a pretty girl again, if I harm such a young beauty as this!  Friendly dealing’s my plan o’ life.’

‘Clear out of my house, then, fellow, and here’s money for you,’ said Gottlieb, displaying a wrathfully-trembling handful of coin.

’Pish! money! forty times that wouldn’t cover my bet!  And if it did?  Shouldn’t I be disgraced? jeered at for a sheep-heart?  No, I’m no ninny, and not to be diddled.  I’ll talk to the young lady!  Silence, out there! all’s going proper’:  this to his comrades through the door.  ’So, my beautiful maiden! thus it stands:  We saw you at the window, looking like a fresh rose with a gold crown on.  Here are we poor fellows come to welcome the Kaiser.  I began to glorify you.  “Schwartz Thier!” says Henker Rothhals to me, “I’ll wager you odds you don’t have a kiss of that fine girl within twenty minutes, counting from the hand-smack!” Done! was my word, and we clapped our fists together.  Now, you see, that’s straightforward!  All I want is, not to lose my money and be made a fool of—­leaving alone that sugary mouth which makes mine water’; and he drew the back of his hand along his stubbled jaws:  ’So, come! don’t hesitate! no harm to you, my beauty, but a compliment, and Schwartz Thier’s your friend and anything else you like for ever after.  Come, time’s up, pretty well.’

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Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.