If he takes you for his wife, all his
people will turn against him. His own father will become his enemy."
"How can that be? His father knows of it, and yet he is not my enemy."
"It is as I tell you. His father will disinherit him. Every Jew in
Prague will turn his back upon him. He knows it now. Anton knows it
himself, but he cannot be the first to say the word that shall put an
end to your engagement."
"Jews have married Christians in Prague before now," said Nina,
pleading her own cause with all the strength she had.
"But not such a one as Anton Trendellsohn. An unconsidered man may do
that which is not permitted to those who are more in note."
"There is no law against it now."
"That is true. There is no law. But there are habits stronger than law.
In your own case, do you not know that all the friends you have in the
world will turn their backs upon you? And so it would be with him. You
two would be alone--neither as Jews nor as Christians--with none to aid
you, with no friend to love you."
"For myself I care nothing," said Nina.
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