"
"My necessities are too urgent to brook delay. Hast thou the gold, on
condition of naming thine own usury?"
"With sufficient pledges, in stones of price, I might rake together the
sum among our dispersed people, Signore. But he who goes on the island
to borrow, as I shall be obliged to do, should be able to satisfy all
doubts concerning the payment."
"The gold can then be had--on that point I may be easy?"
Hosea hesitated, for he had in vain endeavored to penetrate the other's
disguise, and while he thought his assurance a favorable omen, with a
lender's instinct he disliked his impatience.
"I have said, by the friendly aid of our people," he answered, with
caution.
"This uncertainty will not answer my need. Addio, Hosea--I must seek
elsewhere."
"Signore, you could not be more hurried were the money to pay the cost
of your nuptials. Could I find Isaac and Aaron within, at this late
hour, I think I might be safe in saying, that part of the money might be
had."
"I cannot trust to this chance."
"Nay, Signore, the chance is but small, since Aaron is bed-ridden, and
Isaac never fails to look into his affairs after the toil of the day is
ended. The honest Hebrew finds sufficient recreation in the employment,
though I marvel at his satisfaction, since nothing but losses have come
over our people the year past!"
"I tell thee, Jew, no doubt must hang over the negotiation.
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