Now let us go home; my wife is waiting for us.' "'Let us go, my son,' replied the Rabbi.

'But relieve me of worldly pleasures.

I shall spend the night in prayer!' "The banker shrugged his shoulders and gave the watchman a gold coin.
"'Joel,' he said in a low voice, 'the other trustees of the community must not know about this violation of the rule.' "The watchman nodded, and the companion again disappeared in the dark streets, which had already become deserted, while in the houses people talked merrily and the sounds of holiday festivities were heard.
"How poor, dirty and dark these little houses looked from outside! But it was quite different within! In the rear rooms of many of these houses the bright light of numerous wax candles was reflected in the splendid high mirrors, in expensive dishes and precious rugs.

Girls and women, who in the morning perhaps walked with trays in their hands, now were seated at the tables in heavy silk gowns with golden chains and bracelets; their jewels and diamonds were glittering.
* * * * * "The clock in the town-hall tower struck ten.

In the chapel, near the statue of St.Nepomucenus, upon a stone bench, sat a large-sized man, with the pale serious face of Germanic type.