He walked on very slowly, trying to get courage to call, when, of a sudden, he perceived that there was a figure of a man standing close to him in the gloom.

He gave a little start, barely suppressing a scream, and then perceived that the man was Anton Trendellsohn himself.
Anton, hearing steps in the passage, had come out from the room on the ground-floor, and had seen Souchey before Souchey had seen him.
"You have come from Josef Balatka's," said the Jew.

"How is the old man ?" Souchey took off his cap and bowed, and muttered something as to his having come upon an errand.

"And my master is something better to-day," he said, "thanks be to God for all His mercies!" "Amen," said the Jew.
"But it will only last a day or two; no more than that," said Souchey.
"He has had the doctor and the priest, and they both say that it is all over with him for this world." "And Nina--you have brought some message probably from her ?" "No--no indeed; that is, not exactly; not to-day, Herr Trendellsohn.
The truth is, I had wished to speak a word or two to you about the maiden; but perhaps you are engaged--perhaps another time would be better." "I am not engaged, and no other time could be better." They were still out in the passage, and Souchey hesitated.

That which he had to say it would behove him to whisper into the closest privacy of the Jew's ear--into the ear of the old Jew or of the young.