Page:Zangwill-King of schnorrers.djvu/333

319 A ROSE OF THE GHETTO. 319

And as the glory of her and the flowers and the white draperies loomed upon Leibel's vision his heart melted in worship, and he knew his citadel would crumble in ruins at her first glance, at her first touch. Was it fair fighting? As his troubled vision cleared and as she came nigh unto him, he saw to his amazement that she was speckless and composed — no trace of tears dimmed the fairness of her face, there was no disarray in her bridal wreath.

The clock showed the ninth minute.

She put her hand appealingly on his arm, while a heavenly light came into her face — the expression of a Joan of Arc animating her country.

" Do not give in, Leibel," she said. " Do not have me ! Do not let them persuade thee. By my life thou must not ! Go home ! "



So at the eleventh minute the vanquished Eliphaz pro- duced the balance, and they all lived happily ever after- wards.