"No，myfriend，no，wewillnotdoso，"whisperedAndreas，drawinghimback。"OurfaithfulandbravebrotherRed—beardhasbeensolongawakeandatworkthatwemustlethimrest，anditwouldbeverywronginustoarousehimfromhissleep。Letusdeferdinner，therefore，untilSpeckbacherishere，anduntilHaspingerhassleptenough。"
　　"Butyousaidyouwerehungry，Andreas——Whydoyouwanttowait，then？Whydoyounotdinenowandlettheothertwodineafterward？
　　Youarecommander—in—chief，thehighestofficerofall，andtheymustdoasitsuitsyou，andyoumustnotdoasitsuitsthem。"
　　"Donotrepeatsuchnonsense，"criedAndreas，vehemently。
　　"Iamcommander—in—chiefonlybecauseitisnecessarythatthereshouldbeonetoholdthewholetogetherlestitshouldfallasunder。ThatiswhatFatherHaspingersaid，anditistrue。ButeventhoughIamcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，Iamnotcommander—in—chiefofmyfriendsinmyintimateintercoursewiththem。Allthreeofushaveworkedtothebestofourpowerforthefatherland，andIhavenotdonemorethanSpeckbacherortheCapuchin。Itistrue，Iamhungry，butIshallnotgotodinnerwithoutmyfriends;moreover，itisgoodthattheyarenothereyet，andthatIhavealittletimeleft。ThecravingsofmystomachmademealmostforgetmydutytoGod，andbytheabsenceofmyfriendsHeremindsmethatIoweHimsomethingandmustcometoHim。Keepyourfinesoup，therefore，alittlewhile，Niederkircher;Iwill，inthemeantime，gotothechurchoftheFranciscanstoreporttheretotheLordasHisfaithfulservantandsoldier。"
　　HetookhisblackTyrolesehat，descendedhastilythestaircase，andwentintothestreet。HehadnotnoticedthedissatisfiedairofNiederkircher，andthefactthattheinnkeeperhadnoteventhankedhimforhisgreeting;forallhisthoughtswerenowfixeduponGod，andhereproachedhimselfcontritelywithalmostforgettingGod，owingtothecravingsofhisstomach。
　　"Forgiveme，myLordandGod，"hemurmured，onenteringthegloomynaveofthechurch，"fornotcomingtoTheeatonce！"
　　Hewalkeduptheaislewithanoiseless，hurriedstep，inordernottodisturbtheworshippers，tooneofthesmallaltars，beforewhichhekneltdowndevoutly。
　　"HereIam，myLordandGod，"hemurmured，claspinghishands，"torenderhomagetoTheeandthankTheefordeliveringusfromtheenemyandgrantingvictorytous。IthankTheeforitfromthebottomofmyheart，forThymercywaswithus，andThoudidstleadusasatruegeneral。Guideushenceforthlikewise，myLordandGod，andstandbyThyfaithfulservant，thathemaynotfailinthedifficulttaskwhichhehasnowtakenuponhimself。Lord，ThouknowestthatvanityandpridedonotpromptmetobecomemorethanI
　　oughttobe;ThouknowestthatIwouldratherbequietlyathomewithmywifeandchildren，thanplaythedistinguishedgentlemanhereandassumeanaristocratictitle。ButtheCapuchin，whoiswiserthanI，saysitmustbeso，andImustbecommander—in—chief。
　　Hence，Isubmitpatiently，andconsenttoplaytherulerhereuntilThou，myLordandGod，allowestmeagaintobeThyhumbleandsimpleservant，andtoreturntomybelovedAnnaGertrude，mythreelittledaughters，andmydearlittleboy。OHolyVirgin，watchwithmaternalcareovermydearonesathome;protectthem，andgrantpeacetotheirhearts，thattheymaynottrembleformysafety。
　　Grantpeacetousall，HolyMotherofGod，and——"
　　"Look，look，thereheis！"shoutedaloudvoicebehindhim，interruptinghiminhisprayer。"See，thereisthegreathero！Howhumblyheiskneelingbeforethealtar！LookatAndreasHofer。"
　　AndreasHoferturned，indignantattheinterruptionandthewordssoloudlyutteredinthatsacredplace。Hesawseveralhundredpersonsthrongingtheaisleandfixingtheireyesuponhim。AllcrowdedforwardandraisedtheirheadstoseeAndreasHofer，admirehisfinebeard，andexaminehiswholeappearance。Theybadfollowedhimquietly，andasthenewsthatAndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，hadgonetothechurchoftheFranciscans，spreadrapidly，allhadhastenedthithertoseehimandrenderhimhomage。
　　ButAndreasHoferthoughtthishomagedecidedlyirksome，andhewasangrythatthespectatorshaddisturbedhisprayer。He，therefore，madeabitter—sweetfaceinresponsetotheenthusiasticdemonstrationsandaffectionategreetingsofthepeople，andelbowedhiswayhastilytowardthedoor。
　　"Ithankyouforyourattachment，"hesaidtothosewhowereclosetohim，"butIshouldhavebeenbetterpleasedifyouhadallowedmequietlytopursuemyway，andhadnotinterruptedmyprayer。Butnowprayletmegohomealone，anddonotfollowme。Itmaybebecomingforaristocraticgentlementohavealargesuitebehindthem，butI
　　amonlyasimpleTyroleselikeyouall，anddonotwanttobeanythingelse。Moreover，Iamaveryordinary—lookingman，andthereisnoreasonwhateverwhyyoushouldstareatmeinthismanner。Pray，therefore，donotgowithme，butletthereturnquietlytoNiederkircher'stavern，whereIamgoingtodine。"
　　Theyobeyed，ofcourse，andopenedapassageforhimtostepoutofthechurchdoor。Butthereupontheyrushedouttolookafterhimandshout，"LongliveAndreasHofer，thepiouscommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！"Butnooneventuredtofollowhim;allgazedaffectionatelyandreverentiallyafterhistallform，ashewalkedwithaslowanddignifiedstepdownthestreet。
　　"Therearestrangepeopleinthesecities，"murmuredHofertohimself，whilewalkingalong;"theydonotevenletmeprayquietly，andareascuriousasswallows。Theyfollowmeeverywhere，andstareatmeasthoughIwereawildbeast。Ifthatisbeingafamousman，Idonotcareforfame;andforthewholeworldIwouldnotbeanaristocraticorfamousmanallmylifetime。Whenpeacehasbeenrestoredtothecountry，andthereisnolongeranenemytofight，theywillforgetmyhumbleservices，andIshallliveagainquietlyatmyinninthePasseyrvalley。NoonewillthenrunaftertheSandwirthwhenhecomestoInnsprucktosellhorses;andIshallsitagaininNiederkircher'sbackroom，eatdumplings，anddrinknativewine。Ah，HolyVirgin，letitsoonbesoagain，thatthecommander—
　　in—chiefmaybeagainSandwirthAndreasHofer。"
　　"Hurrah，longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！"shoutedatthismomentsomemenwhohadrecognizedhim，andstoodstilltodohomagetohimasthoughhewereasovereignprince。
　　AndreasHoferacceleratedhisstep，andwasverygladonreachingthetavernsoonafterward。
　　CHAPTERXXXIII。
　　ANDREASHOFER，THEEMPEROR'SLIEUTENANT。
　　Andreasascendedthestaircasehastily，andenteredthebalcony—
　　room。
　　TheCapuchinhadnowrisenfromthecarpet;JosephSpeckbacherwaswithhim，andbothhastenedtomeetAndreasHofer。
　　"Youhavekeptuswaitingalongwhile，brother，"saidtheCapuchin，indignantly;"yououghttohaveborneinmindthatwehavenoteatenanything，andare，therefore，veryhungry。"
　　"Yes，FatherAndy，"exclaimedSpeckbacher，smiling，"youhungourbread—basketveryhigh;wearequiteweakfromwaitingandhunger。"
　　"NowtheyblameMEforkeepingTHEMwaiting，"saidAndreasmildly。
　　"AndyetIthinktheykeptmewaiting，andhungerdrovemetothechurch。Well，nevermind，mydearfriendsandcomrades;wearetogethernow，andIamverygladofit。LookatNiederkircherandhislargedish！Howsplendidlyitsmokesandsmells，andhowgooditwillbetoeat！Well，Niederkircher，putthedishonthetablehere，andsitdownanddinewithus。"
　　"No，no，commander—in—chief，itismydutyto—daytowaitonyou，foryouarenowahighlydistinguishedgentleman，andsoaretheothertwo;hence，itwouldnotbehoovemetodinewithyou。"
　　"Ifyourefusetodoso。Ishallnoteatatall，"criedAndreasHofer。
　　"AndIshallrunaway，"saidSpeckbacher，jumpingupfromhischair。
　　"Ishallsitstill，"growledtheCapuchin，"butIshallhenceforthturnmybackuponNeiderkircherifheallowsoursouptobecomecoldinsteadofsittingdownatonceanddiningwithus。"
　　"Iwilldoso，"criedNiederkircher，movingachairtothetable，andseatinghimselfonit。"Butnowmyfriends，permitmeatleasttofillyourplates。"
　　"Wewillnotobjecttothat！"exclaimedthethreefriends，laughing;
　　"andprayfillthemwell，Niederkircher。"
　　Therewasalongpausenow;nothingwasheardbuttherattlingofthespoonsontheplates。Allatoncethiscomfortablesilencewasbrokenbydeafeningcheersandshoutsutteredonthestreet。
　　Hoferdroppedhisspoon，frowned，andlistened。"Ibelievetheyarecallingmeagain，"hesighed，dolefully。
　　Hewasnotmistaken。HundredsofyouthfulvoiceswereheardshoutingAndreasHofer'sname，andtheircheerswerefollowedbyaloud，ringingflourishofviolins，fifes，bugles，andtrumpets。
　　"Theyhavemusicianswiththem，"exclaimedHofer，anxiously。"HolyVirgin，justlistenhowtheyareroaring！Itseemsasiftheywereintentonupsettingthehouse。"
　　"Theyarecallingyou，theywanttoseeyou，"saidNiederkircher，whohadsteppedtothewindow。"Theyarethestudentsoftheuniversity;theyhavecomeintheirholidayattiretoserenadeyou。"
　　"AndwhydotheywanttoserenadeME？"askedAndreasHofer，almostindignantly。"WhynotSpeckbacher，ortheCapuchin，orPeterMayer，orAnthonyWallner？TheyalldidjustasmuchasIdid，andperhapsevenmore。"
　　"Butyouarethepeople'sfavorite，brother，"saidtheCapuchin，smiling;"thepeoplebelieveinyou，anditwouldbecruelandshort—sightedinustoshaketheirfaithinyou。Everythingmustcomefromyou;youmusthavedoneandaccomplishedeverything。"
　　"Andwhatweothersdid，wedidonlyinyourname，FatherAndy！"
　　exclaimedSpeckbacher;"thepeopleandthesharpshooterswouldnothaveobeyedussowell，hadtheynotbelievedthatyouhadissuedalltheordersandinstructionswhichwegavethem。Onhearingyournametheyobeyed，foughtwell，andwereconfidentthatweshouldsucceed。Andforthisreasontheyarejustifiedincouplingyournamewiththecelebrationofthevictory。Justlistenhowtheyareshoutingyourname！Itistrue，thedearboyshavetremendouslungs，andifyoudonotcomplywiththeirwishes，andshowyourselfonthebalcony，Iamafraidtheywillmakeusdeafandthemselvesquitehoarse。"
　　"Well，Idonotcare，"sighedAndreas;"openthedooragain，Niederkircher，Imuststepoutonthebalcony。"
　　"Andmakeanotherfinespeechasbefore，"saidtheinnkeeper，throwingopenthefolding—doors。
　　Andreasmadenoreply，butwenttothebalconywithagraveandalmostangryface。Deafeningcheersgreetedhim，andthedensecrowdassembledinthestreetshouted:"LongliveAndreasHofer，thecommander—in—chief！LongliveAndreasHofer，theliberator！"
　　"Mybraveson，JosephSpeckbacher，"saidtheCapuchin，fillinghisglass，"youseeeveryonegetshisdueintheend。Daybeforeyesterday，whilewewerefightinginthesweatofourbrowsonMountIsel，mydearbrotherAndreasHofersatupathisfriendEtschmann'stavern。Abottleofwinestoodbeforehim，andhisrosarylayonthetable;andwhilewewerefighting，heprayedanddrank，andsentusfromtimetotimehisorders，whichsoundedlikeoracles，whichnooneunderstood，andwhicheveryoneinterpretedashedeemedprudent。Nowhemusttoilinhisturnandfightwithhistongue，whilewearesittingheresnuglyanddrinkingourwine。Thereisanotherflourishoutside！Trara！trara！"
　　AndtheCapuchinwavedhisglassandemptieditatonedraught。
　　Suddenlythecrowdinthestreetbecamesilent;astudentcameforwardandadvancedseveralstepstowardthebalcony。
　　"AndreasHofer，belovedcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，"hesaid，inaloud，solemnvoice，"ourheartsarefullofloveforyouandpraiseofyourheroicdeeds，andourlips，too，wouldliketooverflow。Permitus，therefore，noble，hero，belovedliberator，tosingbeforeyouasongglorifyingyourexploits;asongpraisingyourstrugglesandvictories;asongwhichwillhenceforthbesungbyeveryman，woman，andchild，throughouttheTyrol。Westudentswrotethesong，foryourheroicdeedsfilledourheartswithenthusiasm，andourattachmenttoyoutaughtusthefinestmusicforit，Permitus，therefore，tosingbeforeyouthesongofthevictoriousheroAndreasHofer。"
　　"No，no，mydearfriends，donotsing，"exclaimedHofer，gravelyandalmostangrily。"Donotsing，anddonotplayanylongeronyourfifesandviolins。Wedidnottakethefieldtosinganddance，andIdidnotleavemywifeandchildrenathomewithalightheart，butwithtearsandanxiety。ButIdiditbecauseitwastheLord'swill;
　　andasHeaccompaniedmeintobattlewesucceededindefeatingtheenemy。Butitwasahardandmournfultask;manybraveandexcellentmenlosttheirlimbsoreventheirlives，andmanywoundedpatriotsareyetimploringGodtorelievethemoftheirterribleagony。Andwhiletheyaregroaningandwailing，canyouwishtosing？Whilesomanyfathersandmothersarelamentingtheirfallensons，canyouwishtoexulthereandmakemusic？No，mydearfriends，thatwouldnotbebecomingforaChristianandcharitablepeople。Youhadbetterlayyourviolinsasideandtakeupyourrosaries。Donotsing，butpray。Prayaloudandferventlyforourbelovedemperor，and，ifyoulike，youmayaddalowprayerforpoorAndreasHofer。
　　Butyoushallnotsinganysongsinhishonor，forGodaloneaccomplisheditall，andhomageshouldberenderedtononebutHim。
　　Therefore，donotsing，butpray。Prayinmyname，too，forIhavenotmuchtimenow，andcannotprayasmuchasIshouldliketodo。
　　SaytothegoodGodthatwetoiledhonestlyandbravely;saytoHimthatwesufferedprivations，watched，fought，andconquered，forthefatherland;andpraytoHimforthebravemenwhoaccompaniedustotheholystruggle，andwhowillneverreturn，buthavesuccumbedtotheirmortalwounds。Donotsing，butprayfortheirpoorsouls。
　　Playyourmerrymelodiesnolonger，butgohomequietlyandprayGodtoprotectushenceforthasHehasheretofore。ThatiswhatIwishtotellyou，mydearfriends。AndnowGodblessyou，andacceptmyheart—feltthanksforyourloveandattachment。"[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"p。130。]
　　Thestudents，seizedwithprofoundemotion，anddeeplyimpressedbythesimpleyetsoul—stirringwordsofAndreasHofer，compliedquietlyandwillinglywithhisrequest。Theirfifes，violins，andbuglesbecamesilent，andthecrowddispersednoiselessly，withoututteringanymorecheersandacclamations。
　　"Theyarefine，dearlads，"saidAndreasHofer，lookingafterthemwithbeamingeyes;"strongandheartylads，fullofspiritsandimpetuosity，butontheotherhandsogentleandsubmissive！——Well，now，"heexclaimedjoyfully，steppingbackintotheroom，"Ihopeweshallhavesomerest，andshallbeabletofinishourdinnerinpeace。"
　　Thishope，however，wasnottobefulfilled。Thedinnerwasnotyetoverbyanymeans，whencheersandloudnoiseresoundedoncemoreinthestreet，andanothersolemnprocessionapproachedthetavern。
　　Thistime，however，themembersoftheprocessiondidnotremaininthestreet，butenteredthehouse，andthelandlord，whohadjustgonedownstairstofetchsomemorebottlesofwinefromthecellar，hastenedbacktothebalcony—roomandannouncedthatallthecommandersoftheLandsturm，andthemunicipalofficershadarrivedtopaytheirrespectstothecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrolandcommunicatearequesttohim。
　　"Well，then，"sighedHofer，rising，"letthemcomeinhere。Iseethatourdinnerisspoiledanyhow。Letthemcomeinhere，Niederkircher。"
　　"Godforbid！therearesomanyofthemthattheywouldnothaveroomhere;besides，itwouldnotbebecomingforyoutoreceiveallthesegentlemenherewherethereisadinner—table。Ihaveconductedthemalltothelargeballroom;theyawaityouthere，AndreasHofer。"
　　"IwouldIknewwhattheywantofme，"sighedHofer，strokinghislongbeard。
　　"Iknowwhattheywant，FatherAndy，"saidSpeckbacher，smiling。"I
　　myselfsuggestedtothecommandersoftheLandsturmtheplanofaskingofyouwhattheyaregoingtocommunicatetoyounow。Andyoumustnotrefusetocomplywiththeirrequest，FatherAndy;forthegoodofthecountrydemandsthatyoushouldyield，andtheemperorhimselfwillthankyouforsodoing。"
　　"Iknowlikewisewhatthesegentlemenwantofyou，brotherAndy，"
　　exclaimedtheCapuchin，fillinghisglass。"IwasyesterdayalreadyinInnspruck，whereIconferredwiththemayorandthemembersofthecitycouncil，andtheywilltellyounowwhatweresolvedthen。
　　Youmustnotresist，brother;youmust，onthecontrary，complywiththeirrequest;foritisGod'swillthatyoushould，andthereforeyoumust。Nowgototheballroom，dearAndy。"
　　"Ishallnot，unlessyoutwoaccompanymethither，"answeredAndreasHofer，emphatically。"TheywillfinallybelieveIwishtomonopolizeallhonors，andwillchargemewithforgettingthatHaspingerandSpeckbacher，daybeforeyesterday，didagreatdealmorethanmyselfatthebattleofMountIsel，andthatweshouldneverhavegainedavictorytherewithoutthem。Therefore，youmustwalksidebysidewithme，oneonmyright，theotheronmylefthand;andwewillentertheballroomjustaswefoughtinbattle。"
　　Onenteringtheballroom，wherethecommandersoftheLandsturmintheiruniformsandtheofficersofthemunicipalityhadrangedthemselvesalongthewalls，thethreeheroeswerereceivedwiththreedeafeningcheers;andthistimeAndreasHoferwasnotboldenoughtotelltheenthusiasticgentlementobesilent，buthelookedquiterespectfullyatthemayorinhislongblackrobe，whowasapproachinghimwithagravestepbetweentwomembersofthecitycouncil。
　　"Wecome，"hesaid，solemnly，"notonlytothankyoufortheheroicdeedswhichyouhaveperformed，buttoprayyoutodostillmoreforusandthefatherland。Youhavedeliveredthecountryfromtheenemy，butthereislackingtoitahead，acrown。TheBavariangovernmentcommission，andCountRechbergtheking'slieutenant，haveescapedfromInnspruckwiththeFrenchforces。WearefreefromtheBavarianyoke;wearenolongergovernedbytheking'slieutenant，andinhisplacewewantalieutenantoftheemperor。
　　Theremustbeoneinwhosehandsallpowerisconcentrated，andwhorulesoverthecountryintheemperor'sname。Youmustfillthisposition，AndreasHofer。TheauthoritiesandthepeopleofInnspruckelectyoutheemperor'slieutenant。Youshallgovernthecountryinhisname，andwewillallsweartoyouobedience，fidelity，andlove。"
　　Afterhehadconcludedhisaddress，AnthonyWallnersteppedforthfromtheranksofthecommandersoftheLandsturm。"Yes，"heexclaimed。"youshallbetheemperor'slieutenant。Wewillallsweartoyouobedience，fidelity，andlove。WecommandersoftheLandsturmwishedtosaythistoourcommander—in—chief，andthiswasthereasonwhywecamehither。WewanttoprayyoutogoverntheTyrolintheemperor'sname。Yourconsentwouldgiveusthegreatestsatisfaction。"
　　"Wewanttoprayyou，"saidoneofthemembersofthecitycouncil，comingforwardfromthemidstofhiscolleagues，"totakeupyourresidenceastheemperor'slieutenantintheimperialpalaceontheRemplatz。"
　　"Thatwillneverdo，"criedAndreasHofer，indismay。"HowcouldI
　　besoimpudentastoresideinthepalaceofhismajestytheemperor？No，no，thatwillneverdo;Icannotconsenttoit。"
　　"Itwilldoverywell，andyoumustconsenttoit，"saidHaspinger，solemnly。"Youshallresideintheimperialpalace，nottogratifyyourownvanity，buttoreassurethepeople，andshowthemthattheyarenotentirelydestituteofarulerandprotector。YoushallgovernthecountryforGodandtheemperoruntilallourenemiesareworstedandthewarisatanend。Theemperorhasnottimeatthisjuncturetotakecareofus:hemustdevotehiswholeattentiontothereorganizationofhisarmyandpreparefortheresumptionofhostilities。Thearmisticeexpiresattheendofthismonth，andwarwillthen，ofcourse，breakoutoncemore，fortheFrenchemperorwillnotkeepquietandsubmitbeforeheisworstedandcrushedentirely;andwehavestillagreatdealtodo，agreatdealtofight，andmuchmorebloodwillhavetobeshed，beforewehavedeliveredthewholeSouthernTyrol，Carinthia，andCarniola，fromtheyokeofthetyrant。Inordertodoso，Speckbacher，Wallner，andI，willleadthebraveTyroleseagainsttheenemy。Now，ifthecountryistobegovernedproperlywhilewearefighting，amaninwhomboththepeopleandtheauthoritieshaveconfidencemustbeattheheadofthegovernment。Youarethisman，AndreasHofer。Thepeople，theauthorities，andthedefendersofthecountry，prayyoutoconsenttoit;butGodcommandsyouthroughmymouthtoaccepttheposition。"
　　"Well，then，"exclaimedAndreas，enthusiastically，liftinghiseyesdevoutlytoheaven，"IwilldojoyfullywhatGodcommands，andwhatyourequestmetodo。Iwilltakeuponmyselfthisarduousduty;I
　　willcomplywithyourwishes。Yousayitisnecessaryforthegoodofthecountryandtheemperorthatthereshouldbealieutenantoftheemperor;andifthereisnootherandbettermanthanI，andifyouhaveconfidenceinme，Iwillaccepttheposition。IamnothingbutaninstrumentinthehandofGodmyLord，andIdowhatHewantsmetodo，eventhoughitshouldcostmylife。MylifeisinHishand，andwhatIam，andhave，andcanbe，belongstomyemperorandmycountry。Iwillbe，then，theemperor'slieutenantintheTyroluntiltheemperorissuesorderstothecontrary，oruntilpeaceisrestoredtothecountry，andtheemperorisableagaintotakechargeofthegovernment。LetusprayGodandtheHolyVirginthatthatdaymaysoondawnuponus！"
　　"Longlivetheemperor'slieutenant！"shoutedthewholeassembly，joyously。
　　"Now，"exclaimedthemayor，"givemeyourhand，AndreasHofer，lieutenantoftheemperor，andcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。Wewillconductyouinsolemnprocessiontotheimperialpalace，forthelieutenantmusttakeuphisresidencethere。"
　　"Yes，yes，letusaccompanyAndreasHofertotheimperialpalace，"
　　exclaimedall，injoyfulexcitement。
　　"Well，ifitpleaseGod。Iwilltakeupmyresidenceintheimperialpalace，"exclaimedAndreasHofer，solemnly，givinghishandtothemayorandsteppingwithhimtothedooroftheballroom。
　　HewasfollowedbytheCapuchin，JosephSpeckbacher，AnthonyWallner，theothercommandersoftheLandsturm，andthemunicipalauthorities。Onsteppingintothestreet，theywerereceivedwiththunderingcheersbythepeoplewhothrongedthestreetandtheneighboringplace;andamidsinginganddeafeningacclamations，andtheringingofallthechurch—bells，theemperor'slieutenantandcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，AndreasHofer，wasconductedtothemagnificentimperialpalace，wheretheSandwirthwastotakeuphisresidence。
　　CHAPTERXXXIV。
　　THEFIFTEENTHOFAUGUSTATCOMORN。
　　WhilethepeopleofInnsprucksetnoboundstotheirrejoicingsonthe15thofAugust，andaccompaniedAndreasHofer，theemperor'slieutenant，amidthemostrapturousmanifestationsofenthusiasm，totheimperialpalace;whiletheEmperorNapoleonwascelebratingthe15thofAugust，hisbirthday，byagreatparadeatSchoenbrunn，andthebestowalofordersandrewardsonmanydistinguishedpersons，theEmperorFranciswasatthefortressofComorn。Onlyafewofhisfaithfuladherentshadfollowedhimthither;onlyhisservantsandofficerssurroundedhimathismournfulcourtthere。TheEmpressLudovicaandthearchduchesseshadalreadyrepairedtoTotis，acountry—seatofPrinceLichtenstein，inHungary，whithertheemperorintendedtofollowherinthecourseofafewdays。
　　"Ishouldsetoutthisveryday，"hesaid，pacinghiscabinet，tohisconfidentialagentHudelist，theAuliccouncillor，"butIshouldliketoseepreviouslyCountBubna，whomIhavesenttoBonaparte。"
　　"Ihope，yourmajesty，thatthecountwillyetreturntoday，"
　　repliedHudelist，inhishumbleblandvoice。
　　"Godgrantit！"sighedtheemperor。"Itisverytedioushere，andI
　　hopeoursojournatTotiswillnotbesomournfulandwearisome。
　　PrinceLichtensteintoldmetherewereexcellentfishing—pondsthere，andheaddedthathehadcausedtobebuiltalaboratorywhereImightmanufacturesealing—wax。Ithink，Hudelist，weshallbeveryindustriousthere，andmanufacturenewandbeautifulstyles。"
　　"Ireceivedto—dayanewreceiptformakingcarminesealing—wax，perfumedalarose，"saidHudelist，smiling。
　　"Ah，thatisnice，"exclaimedtheemperor;"giveittome——letmereadit。"
　　TheAuliccouncillordrewapaperfromhisbosomandhandeditwithalowbowtotheemperor。Francistookitquickly，andfixedhiseyessmilinglyonit。
　　Hisfeatures，however，suddenlybecameverygloomy，andhethrewthepaperindignantlyonthetable。"Whatdoyougivemethisfor？"heasked，angrily。"Inspeakingofthereceipt，Ihadforgottentheabominablepoliticalsituationforamoment，butyoumustatonceremindmeofit。"
　　"MyGod！"falteredoutHudelist，"whatdidIdo，then，toexciteyourmajesty'sindignation？"
　　Theemperortookthepaperfromthetableandhandedittohim。
　　"See，"hesaid，alreadyhalfpacified，"isthatareceiptformakingsealing—wax？"
　　"Goodheavens！"groanedHudelist，indismay，"Imadeamistake。Inplaceofthereceipt，Ihandedtoyourmajestythedraftoftheproclamationtoyoursubjects，whichyourmajestyorderedmetowrite。Oh，Ihumblybegyourmajesty'spardonforhavingmadesolamentableablunder;I——"
　　"Well，nevermind，"interruptedtheemperor;"thereisnoharmdone。
　　Youhandedmeonereceipt，inplaceofanother;anditistrue，thesealing—waxreceiptmayremaininyourpocketuntilwearriveatTotis，buttheotherreceiptisneededimmediately，foritisdestinedtoreducethepeopletosubmissivenessandtranquillity。
　　Well，readtheproclamationyouhavedrawnup。"
　　"Yourmajesty，Ihavecarriedoutcarefullytheordersofyourmajesty，andtheinstructionsofyourminister，CountMetternich，andwrittenonlywhatyourmajestyhadagreeduponwiththeminister。"
　　"Readit，"saidtheemperor，takingthefly—flapfromthetable;
　　and，whilehewasslowlyglidingalongthewalls，andkillingnowandthenafly，Hudelistreadasfollows:"
　　"Tomypeopleandmyarmy！——Mybelovedsubjects，andevenmyenemiesknowthat，inenteringuponthepresentwar，Iwasinducedtotakeuparmsneitherbythirstforconquestnorbymortifiedpersonalfeelings。"
　　"Self—preservationandindependence，apeacewhichwouldbecompatiblewiththehonorofmycrown，andwhichwouldgivesecurityandtranquillitytomypeople，weretheloftyandonlyobjectswhichIstrovetoattain。"
　　"Theficklefortunesofwarhavenotfulfilledmyexpectations;theenemypenetratedintotheheartofmystates，andexposedthemtothedevastationsofawarcarriedonwiththemostrelentlessexasperationandbarbarity;but，atthesametime，hebecameacquaintedwiththepatrioticspiritofmypeopleandthebraveryofmyarmy。"
　　"Thisexperience，whichhepurchasedafterfearfulbloodshed，andmyunvaryingsolicitudeforthehappinessofmysubjects，broughtaboutmutualadvancesforpeacenegotiations。MyplenipotentiariesmetwiththoseoftheFrenchemperor。"
　　"Iamdesirousofconcludinganhonorablepeace，thetermsofwhichofferthepossibilityandprospectofitsduration。Thebraveryofmyarmy，itsunwaveringcourage，itsardentpatriotism，itsemphaticwishnottolaydownitsarmspriortotheconclusionofanhonorablepeace，preventmefromsubmittingtotermswhichwouldshakethefoundationsoftheempire，anddishonorusaftersuchgreatandgeneroussacrificesandsomuchbloodshed。"
　　"Thenoblespiritanimatingthearmyisasufficientguarantythat，iftheenemyshouldafterallmistakeourintentionsandstrength，weshallcertainlyobtaintherewardofconstancyintheend。"
　　[Footnote:SeeHormayr's"AndreasHofer，"vol。ii。，p。440。]
　　"There，"criedtheemperoratthismoment，strikingwiththefly—
　　flapatthewall，"thatwillatlengthputanendtoyourhumming，withwhichyouhavedinnedmyearsforaquarterofanhour。Comehere，Hudelist，andlookatthisbluebottlefly。ThewholetimewhileyouwerereadingIwaschasingit，andhaveonlyjustgotit。
　　Didyoueverseesolargeafly？"
　　"Itisaverylargeflyindeed，"saidHudelist，withagrin。
　　"Idonotbelievethatitisabluebottlefly，"exclaimedtheemperor。"ItisBonaparte，whohastransformedhimselfintoabluebottlefly，asJoveoncetransformedhimselfintoanox;andhecamehithertoannoymeanddinmyearsuntilIamquitesick。Yes，yes，Hudelist，believeme，Bonaparteisahugebluebottlefly，whichdrivesallEuropemad。Ah，wouldIcouldtreathimasItreatthisabominablebluebottleflynow，andcrushhimundermyfoot！"
　　Andtheemperorcrushedthewrithinginsectunderhisheel。
　　"YourmajestywillsurelyenjoyonedaythepleasureofcrushingBonaparte，thehugebluebottlefly，underyourheel，"saidHudelist。
　　"Onlyyourmajestymustbegraciousenoughtohavepatience，andnotnowtrytoattainwhatyouwillsurelyaccomplishatalatertime。
　　AtthisjunctureBonaparteisstrongandsuperiortous;butletuswaituntilthereisamomentwhenheisweak;yourmajestywillprofitbythismoment，andcrushhim。"
　　"See，seehowkindyouare！"exclaimedtheemperor，withasardonicsmile;"youaresoobligingastogivemeadvicewhichIdidnotaskfor。Ithankyou，Mr。AulicCouncillor，butIbelieveitwillbebetterformetofollowmyownunderstanding。AsGodAlmightyhasplacedmeattheheadofAustriaandmademeemperor，Hemustconfideinmyabilitytodischargethedutiesofmyimperialoffice。