"That's what I say," returned Manasseh; "and never did I think a son-in-law of mine would meditate selling my holy soil for a paltry five shillings! I will not withdraw my promise, but I am disappointed in you--bitterly disappointed. Had I known this earth was not to cover your bones, it should have gone down to the grave with me, as enjoined in my last will and testament, by the side of which it stands in my safe." "Very vell, I von't sell it," said Yankelé sulkily. "You relieve my soul. As the _Mishnah_ says, 'He who marries a wife for money begets froward children.'" "And vat about de province in England?" asked Yankelé, in low, despondent tones. He had never believed in _that_, but now, behind all his despair and incredulity, was a vague hope that something might yet be saved from the crash. "Oh, you shall choose your own," replied Manasseh graciously. "We will get a large map of London, and I will mark off in red pencil the domain in which I _schnorr_. You will then choose any district in this--say, two main streets and a dozen byways and alleys--which shall be marked off in blue pencil, and whatever province of my kingdom you pick, I undertake not to _schnorr_ in, from your wedding-day onwards. I need not tell you how valuable such a province already is; under careful administration, such as you would be able to give it, the revenue from it might be doubled, trebled. I do not think your tribute to me need be more than ten per cent." Yankelé walked along mesmerised, reduced to somnambulism by his magnificently masterful patron. "Oh, here we are!" said Manasseh, stopping short. "Won't you come in and see the bride, and wish her joy?" A flash of joy came into Yankelé's own face, dissipating his glooms. After all there was always da Costa's beautiful daughter--a solid, substantial satisfaction. He was glad she was not an item of the dowry. The unconscious bride opened the door. [Illustration: "THE UNCONSCIOUS BRIDE OPENED THE DOOR."] "Ah, ha, Yankelé!" said Manasseh, his paternal heart aglow at the sight of her loveliness. "You will be not only a king, but a rich king. As it is written, 'Who is rich? He who hath a beautiful wife.'" CHAPTER V. SHOWING HOW THE KING DISSOLVED THE MAHAMAD. Manasseh da Costa (thus docked of his nominal plenitude in the solemn writ) had been summoned before the Mahamad, the intended union of his daughter with a Polish Jew having excited the liveliest horror and displeasure in the breasts of the Elders of the Synagogue. Such a Jew did not pronounce Hebrew as they did! [Illustration: "THE ELDERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE."]