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143 THE KING OF SCHNORRERS. 143

buck of the eccentric school by your dress. But I stick to the old tradition of elegance."

"You had better stick to the old tradition of piety," quoth Manasseh. " Your father was a saint, you are a sin- ner in Israel. Return to the Synagogue, and herald your return by contributing to its finances. It has made a bad debt, and I am collecting money to reimburse it."

The young exquisite yawned. " I know not who you may be," he said at length, " but you are evidently not one of us. As for the Synagogue I am willing to reform its dress, but dem'd if I will give a shilling more to its finances. Let your slovenly rabble of tradesmen pay the piper — I cannot afford it!"

" You cannot afford it ! "

"No — you see I have such extravagant tastes."

"But I give you the opportunity for extravagance," ex- postulated Manasseh. "What greater luxury is there than that of doing good ? "

" Confound it, sir, I must ask you to go," said Beau Be- lasco coldly. " Do you not perceive that you are discon- certing my hairdresser?"

" I could not abide a moment longer under this profane, if tasteful, roof," said Manasseh, backing sternly towards the door. " But I would make one last appeal to you, for the sake of the repose of your father's soul, to forsake your evil ways."

"Be hanged to you for a meddler," retorted the young blood. " My money supports men of genius and taste — it shall not be frittered away on a pack of fusty shopkeepers."

The Schnorrer drew himself up to his full height, his eyes darted fire. " Farewell, then ! " he hissed in terrible tones. " You will ?nake the third at Grace ! "

He vanished — the dandy started up full of vague alarm,