a cross, too, that we may be on a par with Herr Mozart." I took
no notice of this. They also repeatedly said, "Hallo! you sir!
Knight of the Spur!" I said not a word; but during supper it
became really too bad. "What may it have cost? three ducats? must
you have permission to wear it? Do you pay extra for leave to do
so? We really must get one just like it." An officer there of the
name of Bach, said, "For shame! what would you do with the
cross?" That young ass, Kurzen Mantl, winked at him, but I saw
him, and he knew that I did. A pause ensued, and then he offered
me snuff, saying, "There, show that you don't care a pinch of
snuff for it." I still said nothing. At length he began once more
in a sneering tone: "I may then send to you to-morrow, and you
will be so good as to lend me the cross for a few minutes, and I
will return it immediately after I have spoken to the goldsmith
about it. I know that when I ask him its value (for he is a queer
kind of man) he will say a Bavarian thaler; it can't be worth
more, for it is not gold, only copper, ha! ha!" I said, "By no
means--it is lead, ha! ha!" I was burning with anger and rage. "I
say," rejoined he, "I suppose I may, if need be, leave out the
spur?" "Oh, yes," said I, "for you have one already in your head;
I, too, have one in mine, but of a very different kind, and I
should be sorry to exchange mine for yours; so there, take a
pinch of snuff on that!" and I offered him snuff. He became pale
with rage, but began again: "Just now that order looked so well
on that grand waistcoat of yours." I made no reply, so he called
the servant and said "Hallo! you must have greater respect for my
brother-in-law and myself when we wear the same cross as Herr
Mozart; take a pinch of snuff on that!" I started up; all did the
same, and showed great embarrassment. I took my hat and my sword,
and said, "I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you to-morrow."