Farina | Page 8

thunder of oaths, she distinguished:
''Tis the little maiden we want; let's salute her and begone! or cap your
skull with something thicker than you've on it now, if you want a whole
one, happy father!'
'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.'
Margarita leaned to her father a moment as if mortal sickness had
seized her. Then cramping her hands and feet, she said in his ear,
'Leave me to my own care; go, get the men to protect thee'; and ordered
Schwartz Thier to open the door wide.
Seeing Gottlieb would not leave her, she joined her hands, and begged
him. 'The good God will protect me! I will overmatch these men. Look,
my father! they dare not strike me in the street: you they would fell
without pity. Go! what they dare in a house, they dare not in the street.'
Schwartz Thier had opened the door. At sight of Margarita, the troop
gave a shout.
'Now! on the doorstep, full in view, my beauteous one! that they may
see what a lucky devil I am--and have no doubts about the handing

over.'
Margarita looked behind. Gottlieb was still there, every member of him
quaking like a bog under a heavy heel. She ran to him. 'My father! I
have a device wilt thou spoil it, and give me to this beast? You can do
nothing, nothing! protect yourself and save me!'
'Cologne! broad day!' muttered Gottlieb, as if the enormity had
prostrated his belief in facts; and moved slowly back.
Margarita strode to the door-step. Schwartz Thier was awaiting her, his
arm circled out, and his leering face ducked to a level with his victim's.
This rough show of gallantry proved costly to him.