"With the greatest farmer of the age, with Hilgendorf, at Little Tetzleben," laughed Rudolph. "A very capable man!" said Axel, "thorough-bred too! that is to say, his horses." And now they began to talk of Gray Momus, and Herodotus, and Black Overshire, and Hilgendorf received his share of attention, and when Rudolph finally stood up, and offered his hand to Herr von Rambow, it was very kindly pressed, and the Herr said: "Rely upon it, no other than your cousin shall get the presentation from me." As they came back into the parlor, Frau Nüssler rose from the sofa, and said to Frida, "He would give his life for you, and for the Herr," and going up to the Herr, she said, "isn't it so? you will do it, Herr von Rambow? It will make me so happy if I can keep my Lining in the neighborhood." Axel was not disposed to like such a free, off-hand reception, nor was he--though of course without any reasonable ground--disposed to like the Nüssler ways; but the news that there was a possibility of recovering his two thousand thalers, the "thorough-bred" talk with Rudolph, and the really impressive, simple, true-hearted manners of Frau Nüssler, had their effect; he went up to his wife and said: "Dear Frida, we have a prospect of recovering our two thousand thalers." "The dear God grant it!" said Frau Nüssler. "Rudolph, have you spoken to the gracious Herr?" "Yes," replied Axel for him, "the business is settled, he shall have the presentation from me; but--I should like to see him first." "That is nothing more than right and proper," said Frau Nüssler; "who would buy a cat in a bag? And you shall see, if he is appointed, and preaches, you shall see that he _can_; but, dear heart! stupid? Well, everybody is stupid about something; I cannot promise for that." And so they rode off. Gottlieb would have the presentation. "So," said Bräsig, "the business is well started; now Gottlieb has only his last execution at Pomuchelskopp's and then the election! But he must strike while the iron is hot, and since neither God nor man can help him with Zamel Pomuchelskopp, he must run his risk, and that quickly." The opinion was reasonable, and Gottlieb got a letter containing a positive command that he should report himself at Rexow, next day, there to receive further instructions. He arrived, and, when Bräsig had briefly explained the business, he was ready to undertake the dangerous errand. Krischan the coachman drove the Phantom up to the door, Lining brought a foot-sack and cloak and shawls, and tucked her future husband warmly in. "That is right," said Bräsig; "wrap him up, Lining, so that he may not freeze, and that the catarrh may not run away with his fine voice; it is showery weather to-day." Suddenly Jochen Nüssler rose up from his chimney-corner, and said, "Mining, my cloak!" "Well, this is a fine time of day!" said Bräsig. "Jochen, what do you want?" asked Frau Nüssler.