Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/208

 And in order that Madam M. L. might regain her composure, I related to her the anecdote with which Mr. Goldenstein had entertained me the day before. How a Polish Jew wanted to get married, how the "Schadchen" found him a bride,—beautiful, rich, in touch with the best circles, her mother well educated, but her father no longer alive. The bridegroom, however, soon found out that her father was in jail. But the worthy Schadchen" was not to be disconcerted: In jail? And do you call that being alive? You see, this Jew was right; being in jail,—that is no life. It will be better when I am outside. So please remain in Vienna for another day or two, until I am set at liberty; the official thinks that it will be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,—then I will gratefully accept today's roses.

Frank saw that I was helping Madam M. L. from some astonishment which he had caused her, and he excused himself for not having prepared her for it; she should pardon him for not having done so, for—Madam M. L. burst out laughing.

"Could you tell me, sir, whether Dr. Sieghart intervened on my behalf?" I asked Frank.

"Nobody, nobody whatever. Just as nobody can take the credit for having brought you here," (he uttered this sentence with emphasis, and I thought to myself: Aha, a supplement to the conversation with Dr. Šámal), "so nobody was the cause of your leaving here. Everything came about by a natural process in accordance with the law. I ascertained that your statements were correct, and I took steps for you to be set at liberty."

"So it was you alone?"

"Oh no" he said deprecatingly, "the law just took its course."