In Prague a Jew was still a Pariah.

Anton's father was rich--very rich.

Anton hardly knew what was the extent of his father's wealth, but he did know that it was great.

In his father's time, however, no change could be made.

He did not scruple to speak to the old man of these things; but he spoke of them rather as dreams, or as distant hopes, than as being the basis of any purpose of his own.
His father would merely say that the old house, looking out upon the ancient synagogue, must last him his time, and that the changes of which Anton spoke must be postponed--not till he died--but till such time as he should feel it right to give up the things of this world.
Anton Trendellsohn, who knew his father well, had resolved that he would wait patiently for everything till his father should have gone to his last home, knowing that nothing but death would close the old man's interest in the work of his life.