Theoldman，leaningonhiscane，hastenedforwardandenteredthecabinet，thedoorofwhichAndreasHoferhimselfclosedbehindhim。
　　"Nowtellme，myagedfriend，whoareyou，andwhatIcandoforyou。"
　　"Much，verymuch，commander—in—chief，"repliedtheoldman，inatremulousvoice。"Youcangrantmejustice。MynameisFriedelHofmeier，andIamtheunfortunatemanwhogainedhislawsuityesterday，andwhowastogethisthousandflorinsback，butfromwhomyoutookthemagainbyvirtueofyoursupremeauthority。"
　　"Cajetan，itisasIsaid，"sighedAndreas，turningwithadolefulairtoDoeninger，whosatatthedesk，peninhand，andbowedtothecommander—in—chiefwithashrug。
　　"Icometoyou，theemperor'slieutenant，todemandjustice，"addedtheoldman。"Yourdecreewasunjustandcontrarytolaw。Thejudgeshaddecidedinmyfavor，andbyreversingtheirjudgment，youtreatwithharshnessandcrueltyanoldmanwhostandsonthebrinkofthegrave，anddeprivemypoorgrandchildofitswholeinheritance。"
　　"MayGodandtheHolyVirginpreservemefromcommittingsuchacrime，"murmuredAndreasHofer，crossinghimselfdevoutly。"Ah，myfriend，whydidyounotcometomeerethis，andtellmeallaboutit？Ishouldhavegladlyassistedyouinrecoveringwhatwasduetoyou。"
　　"AndyetitisyourfaultthatIcannotrecoverwhatisduetome。"
　　criedtheoldman，mournfully。"WhyshouldIhavecomehithererethis，androbbedyouofyourprecioustime？Iconfidedinmygoodandjustcause;IknewthatthegoodGodwouldnotabandonme，andthatHewouldnottakefromme，afterlosinginnocentlymostofmypropertybythecrueltyoftheenemy，whoburneddownmyhouseandoutbuildings，thelastremnantofmylittlefortune，thethousandflorinswhichIlenttomyfriend，andwhichhisrichwifeengagedinherownhandwritingtopaybacktenyearsafterdate。Thetenyearshadexpired;thegoodGoddidnotabandonme;forHecausedthejudgestograntmejusticeandadjudgethethousandflorinstome。"
　　"AndItookthemfromhimagain，"murmuredAndreasHofer，withtearsinhiseyes;"anditismyfaultthathewilldiewithagrief—
　　strickenheart。Cajetan，Ihaveruinedtheoldman;tellme，advisemehowtomakeamendsforit。"
　　"Youreversedthedecisionofthejudges，"saidDoeninger，slowly;
　　"youpossessthepowerofreversingalldecisions。"
　　AndreasHoferwassilentforamoment，andgazedthoughtfullyintovacancy，asiftofathomthemeaningofanobscureoracle;allatoncehisfacebrightened，andajoyoussmileplayedroundhislips。
　　"Iknowitnow，Cajetan，"heexclaimed。"Ihavethepowertoreversealldecisions，andthereforemyownalso。"
　　CajetanDoeningernoddedwithsilentsatisfaction。TheoldmanclaspedhishandsandgazedatHoferwithanexpressionofardentgratitude。
　　"Willyoureallydoso，AndreasHofer？"heaskedtremblingly。"Willyoureverseyourowndecreeforthesakeofjustice？"
　　"Yes，Iwill，"exclaimedHofer，joyfully;"andIwilldoitimmediately。Cajetan，takeupyourpenandwritewhatIamgoingtodictatetoyou。ThereInowwriteasfollows:'I，theundersigned，confessbythesepresentsthatIcommittedamistakeyesterday，andviolatedthelaws。Toconfessmistakesandavowfaultsisnodisgrace;hence，Idosonow，andbegpardonofthegoodGodandthejudgesfordoingwrong。IherebyreversethedecisionwhichImadeyesterday。FriedelHofmeieristoreceivethethousandflorinswhichthesupremecourtadjudgedtohim，andthedecisionofthejudgesistobevalid，notwithstandingmydecreeissuedyesterday。'Nowgivemethepenandletmesignthedocument。"
　　"Oh，dearcommander—in—chief，"exclaimedthedelightedoldman，"whatanobleandkind—heartedmanyouare，and——"
　　"Hush！"interruptedAndreas，lookingupfromthepaper;"ifImakeamistakenow，thewholedocumentwillbeinvalid，andwemustcommenceanew。NowItellyouitishardworktowriteone'snamewithsuchapointedpenonthepaper，andmyname，moreover，hassuchalong—tailedtitle。Therefore，keepquietandletmewrite。
　　There，itisdonenow——'AndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。'Now，mydearoldfriend，yourdocumentisvalid。Takeittothecityhall，andpermitmetocongratulateyouonhavingrecoveredyourthousandflorins。Saynothingaboutitnow，buthastentothecityhall。Thereareoutsideagreatmanypersonswhowishtoseeme。"
　　Hehandedthepapertotheoldman，andconductedhimtothedoor，whichhehimselfopenedforhim。Hewasabouttofollowhim，whenhesuddenlydrewbackandclosedthedoorafterhim。
　　"Cajetan，"hewhispered，anxiously，"Isawsomethingdreadful！"
　　"Whatwasit，commander—in—chief？"
　　"Cajetan，IsawthewomanwhomFriedelHofmeiersued，andtowhomI
　　gavethedecreeyesterday。Cajetan，IwasnotafraidwhenwewereonMountIselandatBrixen，butIamafraidofthatwomanandherdreadfullamentations。Idonotknowwhattodo，Doeninger，ifsheshouldhavefoundoutwhatIhavedone，andcomeinheretoreproachmewithit。"
　　"Weshallnotadmither，commander—in—chief，"saidDoeninger，laughing。
　　"But，Cajetan，Imadeavownevertorefuseadmittancetoanyone，andnot，asmanyprincesdo，toallowdistressedpersonstowaitinmyanteroomandsendthemawaywithoutlisteningtothemandcomfortingthem。"
　　"Butyouheard，Andreas，thatthewomanisnotindistress，forsheisrichandveryavaricious。Shetoldyouthemostimpudentfalsehoods;hence，shemustnotbeadmitted;for，ifyouallowhertocomeinagain，shewouldlieasshedidyesterday。"
　　"Youareright，Cajetan，shemustnotcomein;andnow，myfriend，praygoandadmitthenextapplicant，butnotthatbadwoman。"
　　Doeningerwenttothedoor，and，openingit，beckonedtothepersonstandingnearesttoit。
　　Ayoungwoman，dressedplainly，butveryneatly，camein，andremainedatthedoor，invisibleconfusionandgrief。
　　"Well，madame，"saidAndreastoher，"doyoucometotellmethatallisright，andthatyourhusbandandyou，hisprettyyoungwife，livetogetherinhappinessandcontent？Well，itwasheavyworktoreconcileyoutwo，andpersuadeyoutoremaintogetherandloveeachother，asitbehoovesaChristiancouple。Itcostmeawholeforenoon，butIdonotregretit，forIaccomplishedmytask，andreconciledyou，andallwasrightagainbetweenyou。AndImadeyoupromisetoreturnintwoweeksandtellmehowyougotalongwitheachother。Thetwoweeksareupto—day，andherecomestheprettyyoungwifetotellmethatAndreasHoferdidhisworkwell，andthatherhusbandisnowfaithful，tender，andgood。Ishenot？"
　　"Alas，heisnot！"sobbedtheyoungwife，burstingintotears。
　　"Tony，myhusband，neverstaysathomeintheevening;hereturnsonlylateatnight，scoldsmeforweepingandupbraidinghimwithhisbadconduct，andyesterday——yesterdayhewantedeventobeatme！"
　　"Whatabadman！"criedAndreas，vehemently。"Whydidhewanttobeatyou，then？Whathadyoudone？"
　　"Ihadlockedthestreet—door，andwouldnotlethimhavethekeywhenhewantedtoleavethehouse。"
　　"H'em！thatwasalittletoosevere，"saidHofer，hesitatingly。"Whyshouldayoungmanbepreventedfromgoingoutalittle？Hecannotalwaysstayathome。"
　　"Butheshallnotgooutwithoutme，andhewouldnottakemewithhim。Ihadrequestedhimtodoso，andhehadrefused;therefore，I
　　lockedthehouseandwouldnotpermithimtoleaveit。Heshallnotgooutwithoutme，forheissuchafine—lookingman，thatalltheprettywomenofInnspruckadmirehiminhishandsomenationaldress，andoglehimwhenhepassesby。"
　　"Well，letthemadmireandoglehim，"exclaimedAndreas，smiling。
　　"Whatdoyoucareforit，providedyourhusbanddoesnotoglethem？"
　　"Buthedoes，commander—in—chief;herunsaftertheprettywomen，hegoestothetheatreandtheconcertstoseethem，andspeakandflirtwiththem。Believeme，dearestcommander—in—chief，hedesertsme，heisfaithless，andallyourfineandpiousexhortationswereinvain。Helovesmenolonger，andIlovehimsodearly，andwouldliketobealwayswithhimandneverdeserthim。Buthesaysitwouldbeinconvenienttohim，andmakehimridiculous，ifheshouldalwaysappeartogetherwithhiswife，likeaconvictwithhisjailer。"
　　"Whatabad，hard—heartedman！"criedAndreas，indignantly。
　　"Heishard—hearted，indeed，"sobbedtheyoungwife。"Hescoldsmeformylove，andwhenIliketobewithhimallthetime，hesaysmyjealousyisdisagreeabletohim，andthereisnothingmoreabominablethanajealouswife！"
　　"Well，hemayberightsofarasthatisconcerned，"saidDoeninger，busilyengagedincuttinghispen。
　　"Whatdidyousay，Cajetan？"askedHofer，turningtohim。
　　"Ididnotsayanything，butthoughtaloud，"saidDoeninger，tryinghispen。
　　Hoferwassilentforamoment，andgazedintovacancy。"Yes，mydearwoman，"hethensaidboldly，"yourhusbandmaynotbealtogetherwrongincomplainingofyourjealousy。Ireallybelievethatyouarealittlejealous，andbegyoutotrytoovercomeyourjealousy;forjealousyisagrievousfault，andmakesmanyhusbandsverywretched。"
　　"ButmustInotbejealous？"shecried，vehemently，weepingbitterly。"DoInotseethatthewomenaretryingtoseducehimandmakehimdesertme？DoInotseehimatthetheatregazingatthefinely—dressedladiesandadmiringtheirbarearmsandshoulders？"
　　"What！"exclaimedHofer。"Isittrue，then，thatthewomenhereappearinpublicwithbarearmsandshoulders？"
　　"Yes，sir，itis，"sobbedtheyoungwife。"Youcanseeiteverywhere;itisthenewfashionwhichtheFrenchbroughthere;thewomenwearlow—neckeddresseswithveryshortsleeves，sothattheirshouldersandarmsareentirelybare。AllthearistocraticladiesofInnspruckhavealreadyadoptedthisnewfashion;andonseeingthemintheirboxesatthetheatre，youwouldbelievetheywereinabath，preciselyasthegoodGodcreatedthem。Anditisowingonlytothesebarearmsandshouldersthatmydearhusbanddesertsmeandlovesmenolonger。Thearistocraticladies，withtheirnakedcharmshaveseducedhim;andjustthinkofit，hewantsmetoadoptthenewfashiontoo，andgoasnakedastheotherwomen！"
　　"Youmustnotdoit，"saidHoferindismay;"itisashameless，unchristianfashion，andnodecentwomanshouldadoptit。ThisisnotthefirstcomplaintthatIhaveheardinregardtotheindecentdressofthewomenhere。Someofmyneighborswereatthetheatreyesterday，andwereindignantattheindecentappearanceofthewomenthere;theytoldmethewomensattheredressedinthehighestfashion，theirbustsentirelybareandnotcoveredwithahandkerchiefsuchaseverydecentwomaninthePasseyrvalleywears，andtheirarmsadornedwithallsortsofgoldentrinketssuchasweseeonlyonthoseofstrollingplayerswhoperforminbarns。ButI
　　willputanendtoit;Iwillpreservethegoodandvirtuousmenfromseduction，andwillnotsuffervicetodressup，andshamelessnesstostalkbythesideofdecency。Justwait，mydearwoman;Iwillprotectyourhusbandandallothergoodmenfromtheseductivewilesoffrivolouswomen，andissueadecreewhichwilltellallthebeautifulwomenhowtobehave。SitdownthereandlistentothedecreewhichIshalldictatetoCajetanDoeninger。
　　Cajetan，takealargesheetofstampedpaperandwritewhatIshalldictatetoyou。"
　　Andpacingtheroom。andslowlystrokinghisfineblackbeardwithhisrighthand，AndreasHoferdictatedasfollows:
　　"EveryonewillperceivethatwehavegoodreasontothankthekindandalmightyGodforhelpingussosignallytodeliverthefatherlandfromapowerfulandcruelenemy;andeveryonewilldesirethatweshouldhenceforthremainfreefromthisscourge，withwhichtheLord，asHepunishedHischosenpeopleoftenintheOldandNewTestament，visitedandchastisedourfatherland，thatwemightturntoHimandmendourways。Wewill，therefore，turntoGodwithheartfeltthanksforhisgreatmercy，andwiththesincerepurposeofimprovingourmorals，andprayHimtoprotectusfromfurtherpersecution。WemusttrytogainHispaternallovebyadevout，chaste，andvirtuouslife，anddiscardhatred，envy，covetousness，andallvices，obeyoursuperiors，lendasmuchassistanceaspossibletoourfellow—citizens，andavoideverythingthatmightgiveoffencetoGodandman。Now，manyofmyexcellentcomradesanddefendersofthecountryhavebeenscandalizedattheneglectofmanywomentocovertheirarmsandbreasts，wherebytheygiverisetosinfuldesireswhichmustbehighlyoffensivetoGodandallgoodChristians。Itistobehopedthattheywillrepent，lestGodshouldpunishthem;butiftheydonot，itwillbetheirownfaultiftheyshouldbecoveredwithmireinanunpleasantmanner。"[Footnote:See"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"p。135;
　　andHormayr's"Hofer，"vol。ii。，p。445。]
　　"ShallIreallywritethat？"askedDoeninger，lookingupfromhispaper。
　　"Yes，youshall;andyoushallnotomitawordofit，"exclaimedAndreasHofer。"Givemethepaper，Cajetan;Iwanttoseeifyouhavenotscratchedoutthelastwords。No，thereitis:'Butiftheydonot，itwillbetheirownfaultiftheyshouldbecoveredwithmireinanunpleasantmanner。'Thatisright——nowgivemethepen，Cajetan，thatImaysignthedocument。ThensealitupandsendittotheOfficialJournalandtheGazette;theyaretopublishitatonce，thatallthewomenofInnspruckmayreaditto—morrowandknowwhattodo。Now，mydearwoman，Ihopeyouwillhavesomerest，andneednotbeafraidoftheseductivewilesofthoseladies。Gohome，then;andifyouwillpermitmetogiveyougoodadvice，beverygentleandkindtowardyourhusband;andforGod'ssakedonottormenthimwithjealousy，forthatisabitterherbwhicheventhebesthusbandcannotdigest，andwhichrendershimmoroseandangry。
　　Go，then，withGod'sblessing，andcomebackaweekhence，andtellmewhethermydecreehasbeeneffectual，andwhetheryourhusbandgoesanylongertothetheatreandoglesthewomenthere。"
　　"MayGodandtheHolyVirginhavemercyonus！"sighedthewoman，goingtothedoor;"forIshallnotbearitifmydearhusbandoglesotherwomen，andsomethingdreadfulwillhappenifhedoesnotmendhisways。"
　　"Godbepraised！"saidDoeninger，withadeepsigh，whenthewomanhadlefttheroom。
　　"Whydoyousay'Godbepraised'？"askedAndreas，insurprise。
　　"GodbepraisedthatIamnotthehusbandofthisjealouswoman。Shewilltormentherhusbandtodeath，andleavehimnotamoment'sreposebeforebedies。"
　　"Itistrue，shedoesnotseemtobeverygentle，"saidAndreas，smiling。"Butthen，Cajetan，shelovesherhusbanddearly，isdoubtlessavirtuouswoman，andwillneversinagainsttheseventhcommandment。Well，myfriend，donotgrumblesomuch，butgoandadmitanotherperson。"
　　CHAPTERXXXVI。
　　THELOVERS。
　　Doeningerwenttothedoorandopenedit，andabeautifulyounggirlslippedimmediatelyintotheroom。"Hush，hush，"shewhisperedtoDoeninger;"donotsayanythingtohim。"AndshehastenedontiptoetoAndreasHofer，whowasreadingoncemorewithcloseattentiontheproclamationwhichhehaddictatedtoDoeninger。
　　ShebentdownandkissedthehandinwhichHoferheldthepaper。
　　"Godblessyou，dear，greatfatherandliberatorofthepeople！"shesaid，inasilvervoice。
　　"LizzieWallner！"exclaimedAndreas，joyfully，castingasidethepaper。"Yes，bytheEternal，itisshe！ItisLizzie，thedearestchildofmybestfriend——themostheroicgirlintheTyrol。Come，Lizzie，embraceyoursecondfather，Andy，andgivemeakissforfatherandmother，andoneforyourself，mydeargirl。"
　　ElizaencircledHofer'sneck，andimprintedatenderkissonhislips。"Godblessyou，dearfather，foryouarethefatherofthewholeTyrol，"shewhispered，"andmustnotscoldmeforcallingyoumyfathertoo。"
　　"Onthecontrary，itgladdensmyheart，"exclaimedAndreas，foldinghertenderlytohisbreast。"ItseemstomeasthoughIwereholdingoneofmyowngirlsinmyarms，andasthoughIheardherdearvoicecallingmefather。Lizzie，IcantellyouIoftenlongformyprettydaughtersandtheirmother，AnnaGertrude，andsometimesIfeelverylonelyindeed。"
　　"Andwhydoyounotsendforyourwifeandchildren，fatherAndy，andhavethembroughthere？Iamsurethereisroomenoughfortheminthislargehouse。"
　　"No，theyshallstayathome，"exclaimedAndreas，vehemently。"Themothermustattendtohouseholdaffairs，andkeepeverythingingoodorder，andthegirlsmusthelpherdoit。Otherwiseallwouldgoamiss，andwhenIshouldhavenolongertoworkfortheemperorhere，andwentbacktomyhome，theinninthePasseyrvalleywouldbeworthless;weshouldbedestitute，andbecomebeggars。Besides，I
　　donotwantmygirlstobecomeproud，andthinktheyarearistocraticyoungladiesnow，becausetheirfatheriscommander—in—
　　chiefoftheTyrol，andtheemperor'slieutenant。Wearepeasants，andwillremainpeasants。However，letusspeaknomoreofmyself，butofyou，Lizzie。Wheredoyoucomefrom，whatdoyouwanthere，andhowdidyougetintothemidstofthecrowdintheaudience—
　　room？"
　　"Icametoseeyou，fatherAndreas。IaskedthesentinelinthepassageoutsidewhereIwouldfindyou，asIhadtoseeyouonimportantbusiness。Thesentineltoldmetoentertheaudience—room。
　　Itwasalreadycrowdedwithpersonswhowishedtoseeyou，andwhotoldmethatonewasadmittedtoyouafteranother;but，onhearingthatIhadcomeallthewayfromWindisch—Matrey，andhadwalkedtwodaysandtwonightswithoutintermission，theytookpityonme，andwouldnotletmewaituntilmyturncame，butallowedmetoadvanceclosetothedoor，soastobethefirsttoenteryourroom。"
　　"ThepeopleofInnspruckareverykind—heartedindeed，"exclaimedAndreas，joyously。"ThenyouhavecomeallthewayfromWindisch—
　　Matrey，Lizzie？Andwhereisyourfather？"
　　"HeandhissharpshootersjoinedJoachimHaspingerandJosephSpeckbacher，andtheunitedforcesofthethreecommandersmarchedagainsttheBavarians。FatherandhissevenhundredsharpshootersexpelledtheBavariansfromtheUnkenvalley，andisnowencampednearBerchtesgadenandReichenhall。SpeckbacherisstationedatNeuhauserandSchwarzbach，andHaspingerisstillatWerfen。TheyaregoingtoreunitetheirforcesandadvanceagainsttheBavarians，inorder，ifpossible，todrivethemfromthepassofLueg，whichtheenemyhasoccupiedwithalargeforce。"
　　"Andyouarenotwithyourfather，Lizzie，norwithyourfriendtheCapuchin，whospeaksofyouonlyasaheroine？Younolongercarrythewoundedoutofthethickestofthefight，todresstheirwoundsandnursethem？"
　　"Ihaveanotherdutytofulfilnow，andmyfatherhaspermittedmetocometoyouinregardtoit，dearfatherAndreasHofer。Iamingreatdistress，andyoualone，dear，all—powerfulcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，areabletohelpme。"
　　"Tellmequick，Lizzie，whatcanIdoforyou？"askedAndreas，eagerly。"Ioweyouyetarewardforyourheroicdeedonthedayofthehay—wagons，andIshouldliketodischargethisdebtofthefatherland。Tellme，therefore，deargirlwhatcanIdoforyou？"
　　"YoucanrestoretomethedearestfriendIhaveonearth，"saidEliza，beseechingly。"YoucandeliverapatrioticgirlfromBavariancaptivity，andanexcellentnobleman，whohasdonenootherwrongthanthathepossessesaloyalTyroleseheart，fromgriefanddespair。"
　　"Iwilldosowithallmyheart，"exclaimedAndreas;"onlytellme，Lizzie，whomyoureferto。"
　　"IrefertoBaronvonHohenberg，wholivedatthecastleofWindisch—Matrey，andhisdaughter，mydearandonlyfriendElza。Theoldbaronwasalwaysaverypiousandaffablegentleman，abenefactorandfatherofthepoor;andnotapoorman，notawomanindistressappliedtohim，butwhomhewillinglyrelievedandassisted。HelivedfortwentyyearsintheTyrol，athiscastleatWindisch—Matrey，andbecameinthismanneranardentsonoftheTyrol，althoughheisanativeofBavaria，andhiswholearistocraticfamilylivesinMunich。HisdaughterElzaismydearestfriend;wegrewuptogether，andIamsofondofherthatIwouldreadilygiveupmyheart'sbloodforher。Now，thinkofit，dearAndy！theBavarians，onreturningtotheTyroltwomonthsago，madethetwoprisoners，thedearoldbaronandmyElza，andcarriedthemashostagestoMunich;theychargedthemtherewithhigh—treason，becausetheystoodfaithfullybytheTyrol，andbecause，attheveryoutsetoftheinsurrection，theBavariansoldiersandtheircaptainweresurroundedattheircastleandcompelledtolaydowntheirarms。"
　　"Yes，yes，Iknowthestory，"exclaimedAndreas，gayly;"itwasanheroicdeedbywhichAnthonyWallnerinauguratedourgloriouswarofliberation。AndnowthemeanBavarianscallthegoodBaronvonHohenbergatraitor，whenhewasquiteinnocentofthewholeaffair，andwasnotevenathomewhenittookplace。TheysayhelefthiscastleatthetimeinordernottopreventtheTyrolesefromcapturingtheBavarians，andthathewasawareoftheplansoftheTyrolese，andshouldhavewarnedtheBavarians。ButIsaythatheactedlikeagoodpatriot，andtheyoughtneithertochargehimwithtreasonnorimprisonhimandhisdaughter。"
　　"Ah，andbothlongsointenselytoreturntotheirdearTyrolandtheircastle！ElzawrotemealetterwhichIreceivedaweekago，andtearshadblottedouthalfofitscontents。BothfeelsowretchedinthelargecityofMunich;theiraristocraticrelativesupbraidthemconstantlyfortheirhostilitytotheBavarians;theconfinementandprison—airhavealreadymadetheoldbaronquitesick，andElzathinkshewillsurelydieofgriefifheisnotsoonreleasedandallowedtogohome。Therefore，Iimploreyou，dear，all—powerfulcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，savetheoldbaron'slife，restoremyElzatome，andreleasethembothfromtheircaptivity。ThisiswhatIcamefor，fatherAndy;andifyouthinkthatIhaveeverdoneanythingforthefatherlandthatdeservesthanksandareward，thankandrewardmebyreleasingElzaandherfatherfromtheircaptivityandallowingthemtoreturntotheirhome。"
　　"IwilldoallIcan，"exclaimedAndreas，profoundlymoved;"andthegoodGodsentyoutometo—day，forto—dayIcanhelpyou。——CanI
　　not，Doeninger？"
　　"YourefertotheBavarianofficerwhomyouaregoingtosendtoMunich？"askedDoeninger。
　　"Yes，theBavarianofficeristoprocuretheirrelease，"exclaimedAndreas。"Lookatthefortunatecoincidence，Lizzie！AmongtheprisonerswetookonMountIselwasaBavariancaptain，asensible，excellentman，who，itseemstome，sympathizescordiallywiththecauseoftheTyrolese。WeresolvedtoreleasehimonparoleandsendhimtoMunich，wherehewastonegotiateanexchangeofprisoners，andmaybebringaboutanamicableunderstandingbetweenusandtheKingofBavaria。TheBavariancaptain——IbelievehisnameisUlrich—
　　—"
　　"Ulrich？"askedEliza，trembling，andblushingdeeply。
　　"Ibelievethatishisname，"saidHofer，quietly;"hisothernameI
　　haveforgotten;wecallhimonlyCaptainUlrich，asyoucallmeAndreas。Well，CaptainUlrichhasalreadyreceivedhisinstructionsandthelistofprisonerswhosereleaseheistoadvocate。ItwillonlyremainforustoaddHohenberg'snametothelist，andyouyourself，myLizzie，shallurgeCaptainUlrichtorestoretoyoutheoldbaronandyourfriendElza。——Pray，dearestCajetan，goandfetchthecaptain;hewastosetoutinanhour，andhemust，therefore，behereyet。"
　　"Heiscertainlyhereyet，fortherearehispapers，whichI
　　intendedtotaketohim，andwithoutwhichhecannotdepart，"saidDoeninger。"Andhereisthelistoftheprisonerswhosereleaseheistoprocure。"
　　"Addtoitthenamesoftheoldbaronandhisdaughter，Cajetan，andstatethattheirreleaseisurgentlydesired。"
　　"Butforwhomaretheytobeexchanged？"
　　"Yes，yes，forwhom？Well，forCaptainUlrichhimself。Ifheprocurestheirrelease，andreturnshither，ashesolemnlysworebewould，withthereplyoftheBavariangovernment，and，perhaps，bringstheoldbaronandhisdaughterwithhim，heshallbefreeandatlibertytogowhereverhepleases。Go，Cajetan，saythattothecaptain，andgivehimthepapers，andrepeattohimoncemoreallthatheistodo。Andyou，Lizzie，willyounotsendbyhimanotetoyourfriend？Butitistrue，youhavenotyetwrittenalettertoher。Itisbetterforyoutotellhimwhatheistosayinyournametoyourfriend。——Go，therefore，Cajetan，takethepaperstothecaptain，andconducthimtoLizzie。Butdonotbringhiminhere，forthereareintheanteroomstillagreatmanypersonswhomImustseebeforeIcanconversefurtherwithyou。Takehim，therefore，intotheotherroom;andwhenheisthere，returntome，Cajetan。
　　Lizziemaythengointhereandseethecaptain;andweshallspeakwiththepoorpeopleintheaudience—roomwhohavehadtowaitalreadysolongto—day。——ButIshallnotletyougoagain，myLizzie，"addedHofer，afterDoeningerhadlefttheroom;"no，I
　　shallnotletyougoagain。Youmuststaywithmeatthepalacehere，andbemydearlittledaughteruntilthecaptainreturnsfromhismission，anduntilyouknowifhebringsyourfriendandherfatheralongwithhim。Willyoudoso，Lizzie？"
　　"Iwill，dearfatherAndreas;Iwillstaywithyouuntilthen，andtakecareofyouasagooddaughter，untilmydearElza，ifitpleaseGod，returns，whenIwillgobackwithhertoWindisch—
　　Matrey。"
　　AtthismomentDoeningerre—enteredtheroom。"Thecaptainisintheroomyonder，"hesaid，pointingtoaside—door;"heawaitsyou，andwillsetoutafterseeingyou。Thecarriageisalreadyatthedoor。
　　Go，therefore，ElizaWallner。"
　　"Iamgoingalready，"saidEliza。ShenoddedtoAndreaswithasweetsmileandopenedthedooroftheadjoiningroom，whileDoeningeradmittedanotherpersonfromtheaudience—roomintoHofer'scabinet。
　　TheroomwhichElizaenteredwasoneofthelargestateapartmentsofthepalace，whichAndreasdidnotoccupy，andwhichheusedonlyonrareoccasions。Itwasawideroomwithheavysilkenhangingsonthewalls;curtainsofthesamedescriptioncoveredthewindows，sothatonlyadimtwilightreignedinthelargeapartment。Magnificentgiltfurniturelinedthewalls;betweenthewindowsstoodlargeVenetianmirrorsinbroadcarvedgoldenframes，andgorgeouslustresofrock—crystalweresuspendedfromtheceiling。
　　WasitthesplendorandmagnificencesurroundingherallatoncethatrenderedElizasotimidandanxious？Sheleanedforamomentingreatembarrassmentagainstthedoor，asifshecouldnotventuretoadvanceontheglitteringfloor。Herlarge，brighteyesglanceduneasilyaroundthegreatroom，andnowshesawinthewindow—nicheyonderthetallformofagentleman;hisheadwasavertedfromher，andheseemedtobelookingeagerlyoutofthewindow。
　　"Idonotknowhim;surely，Idonotknowhim，"saidElizatoherself。"Itisfoolishinmetothinkso;bestrong，therefore，myheart，strongandcalm，anddonotthrobsoveryimpetuously！"
　　Andovercomingherbashfulnesswithacourageouseffort，sheadvancedtowardtheofficer，whowasstillturninghisbackuponher。
　　Nowshewasclosebehindhim，andsaidinalow，bashfulvoice:
　　"Captain，I——"
　　Heturnedquickly，andgazedatherwitheyesradiantwithjoyandintenselove。
　　Elizautteredacry;sheraisedherhandsinvoluntarily，madeastepforward，andlayinhisarmsbeforeknowingit;shefelthisburningkissesonherlips，inherheart，andthoughtandknewnothingbut——
　　"Itishe！Itishe！Iseehimagain！Hestilllovesme！"
　　"See，dearestEliza，"whisperedUlrich，drawingherclosetohisheart，"Ihadtoactthusinordertoelicityourheavenlysecretfromyou。Iknewitwasyouwhowishedtoseeme;Iwantedtotakeyoubysurprise，andIsucceeded。YoursurprisebetrayedwhatthetimidandchastelipsofmyElizawouldnotconfesstome。Yes，youloveme！Oh，denyitnolonger，foryourheartbetrayedyouwhenyourecognizedme，andwhenjoyilluminatedyourfacelikeabrightrayofsunshine。Nowyouaremine，Eliza，andnothingonearthmustorshallseparateusanylonger。No，donottrytodisengageyourselffrommyarms，mybeautiful，sweet，affiancedbride！Ishallnotleaveyou;eventhoughthewholeworldshouldcometotakeyoufromme，Ishouldnotleaveyou——no，notforthewholeworldandallitstreasures！"
　　"Thewholeworldwillnotcome，"saidEliza，disengagingherselfgentlyfromhisarms;"theworlddoesnotconcernitselfintheaffairsofapoorpeasant—girllikeme。ButImyselfintendtoleaveyou，sir;youmustletmego，thatwemayconverseinasensiblemanner，asitbehoovestwodecentyoungpersons。Takeyourarmsaway，CaptainvonHohenberg;itisnotrightinyoutoembracemeherewhileweareallalone。Youwouldcertainlybeashamedofitifanyoneshouldseeyoufoldingthepeasant—girltoyourheart。"
　　"No，Eliza，Iwouldnot;Ishouldfoldyouonlythemoretenderlytomyheart，andexclaimproudlyinthefaceofthewholeworld:'ElizaWallner，thepeasant—girl，ismyaffiancedbride;Iloveandadoreherasthemostfaithful，noble，andgenerousheart;sheistobecomemywife，andIwillloveandcherishherallmylife！'"
　　"Andifyousaidso，theworldwouldlaughatyou;butyourparentsandmydearElzawouldweepforyou。Now，myElzashallneverweeponmyaccount，andnevershallyouraristocraticparentsbeobligedtoblushforthedaughter—in—lawwhomyoubringintotheirhouse。Asadaughter—in—lawIcanneverbewelcometothem;hence，theycouldneverbewelcometomeasparents—in—law。"