"That is a very noble sentiment, a very Christian sentiment," replied the Privy Councilor, rubbing his long nose.--"And it is my heart's wish, of course; and yet his opposition is and always will be a stumbling block. I wish that were our only obstacle! But Count Golm tells me now--I have just come from him--he will give himself the honor immediately after me--I have just hurried on ahead of him because I have another little bit of information about him to give you, which I'll tell you in a moment--Count Golm tells me that his efforts with the President in Sundin--he had come over in his semi-official capacity as president of the board of directors _in spe_--that they had been fruitless, quite fruitless; that he had been convinced, and unalterably, much as he would like to do it for the Count, for a thousand reasons--regard for a fellow countryman, and personal friendship, and so on. Golm, who, between you and me, is crafty enough and by no means a fool, finally hinted at the great sacrifices which we had decided to make--but all in vain. In fact, Golm says that he rather made matters worse than better by that." "As ever when one does things by halves," said Giraldi. "By halves, my dear sir! How do you mean that? What did they offer him?" "Fifty thousand thalers as compensation, and the first position as director of the new road, with six thousand a year fixed salary, besides customary office rent, traveling expenses, and so forth." "Well then, that, I suppose, is just half of what the man demanded himself!" "He didn't demand anything." "One doesn't demand such things; one has them offered him. Authorize the Count to propose twice as much, and I'll wager the deal is closed." "We can't go as far as that," replied the Privy Councilor, scratching his close-cropped hair.--"We haven't the means to permit that; and the rest of us, too--and then, for the present, Count Golm is satisfied with fifty thousand; we could not offer the President twice as much without insulting Golm. He is already not so very kindly disposed toward us, and that is the point that I should like to settle with you before he gets here. Is it really impossible for you to--I mean for us: the Board of Trustees of Warnow--to sell directly to us: I mean the corporation?" "Over the Count's head?" cried Giraldi.--"Goodness, Privy Councilor, I think that you are bound by the most definite promises, so far as the Count is concerned, in this respect!" "Of course, of course, unfortunately. But then even Lübbener--our financier, and at the same time----" "The Count's banker--I know----" "You know everything!--Even Lübbener thinks that one could get a little assistance from a man who, like the Count, falls from one dilemma into another, and is always inclined or compelled to sell his birthright for a mess of pottage. Only we do not wish or intend to act contrary to your plans, and if you insist upon it----"