"Oh，Eliza，yourbeauty，yourangelicpurityandgoodnesswouldsurmounttheirresistance，fornoheartisabletowithstandyou;
　　andwhenmyparentsareonceacquaintedwithyou，whentheyhavesubmittedtosternnecessity，theywillsoonloveyou，andfoldyouasadaughtertotheirhearts。"
　　"Butfirsttheywouldhavetosubmittosternnecessity，andI
　　shouldhavetobeforceduponthem，thattheymightafterwardlearntoloveme。Muchobligedtoyou，sir;Iamonlyapeasant—girl，butIhavemypridetoo，andwillneverallowmyselftobeforceduponafamily，butwillonlytakeahusbandwhoseparentswouldcometomeetmeaffectionately，andgiveme，theirblessingonthethresholdofmynewhome。Andnowletusdropthesubject，andtellmewhathashappenedtoyouduringourseparation。"
　　"Yousee，Eliza，whathashappenedtome，"saidUlrich，mournfully。
　　"Afteryourdivinemagnanimityhadsetmefree，IsucceededinpassingthroughtheinsurgentcountrytotheBavarianlinesandre—
　　enteredtheservice。Wefoughtandsufferedagreatdeal，andatlength，onthe14thofAugust，IwasmadeprisonerbytheTyroleseatthebattleofMountIselandtakentoInnspruck。However，theydonotknowmyrealnamehere，forIdidnotwantthenewsofmycaptivitytoreachmyparents;Ipreferredthattheyshouldlamentmeaskilledinbattle，ratherthanasaprisonerinthehandsoftheinsurgents。Butfatedecreedthatitshouldbeotherwise;Iamnolongertobeallowedtokeepmymournfulincognito;IamtorepairtoMunichtonegotiatethereanexchangeoftheprisonersforthehostageswhomourtroopscarriedoff。"
　　"YouruncleandmyElzaareamongthehostages，"exclaimedEliza。
　　"Oh，sir，ifyoureallythinkthatyouareunderobligationstome，ifyouhavenotforgottenthatIsavedyourlife，prayprocurethereleaseofyourdearolduncle，andbringhimbackhither;forhehasindeedahardtimeofitinMunich，wheretheychargehimwithtreason，andwhereevenhisownrelativesinveighbitterlyagainsthim。Thisgnawsathisheart，and，unlessreleasedspeedily，hewilldieofgrief。"
　　"Ididnotknowthatsosadafatehadbefallenhim，"saidUlrich，gently;"Doeningerwasthefirsttotellmeofit，onbringingmethepapers，andconductingmehither。But，Iconfess，inmyintensejoyonmeetingyou，mydear，sweetEliza，myungratefulhearthadforgottenmyolduncle，whogavemesomanyproofsofhisloveandkindness，andtreatedmeformonthsasasonathishouse。Iwilltrytorewardhislovebyavailingmyselfofmyinfluentialconnectionsandmywholeeloquencetobringabouthisrelease;I
　　willgomyselftothekingtointercedeinhisbehalf。"
　　"ButyoumustbringmyElzawithyoutoo，sir，"exclaimedEliza。
　　"Oh，Iimploreyou，byallthatissacredanddeartoyou——"
　　"Thenimploremebyyourname，byyoursweetface，"heinterruptedher，enthusiastically。
　　"Iimploreyoufromthebottomofmyheart，"shecontinued，withouttakinganynoticeofhiswords，"bringmyElzabacktome。Sheisthebetterhalfofmysoul;wegrewuptogether，wesharedalljoysandafflictions，andhavesworntoshedourheart'sbloodanddieforeachother，ifneedbe，andtostandbyeachotherinfaithfulfriendshiptothelastdayofourlives。Now，IamonlyhalfalivewhenmyElzaisnotwithme。Therefore，dearUlrich，restoremyElzatome，andIwillthankyou，andblessyou，andloveyouasabrother。"
　　"Asabrother！"hecriedmournfully。"ButIdonotwantyoutolovemeasabrother。Iwantyourheart，yourwholeheart，Eliza;anditismineinspiteofyou——mine！Butyouarevindictive，andcannotforgetandforgive;andbecauseIdeniedandmisunderstoodyouonceinmyblindstubbornness，youwishtowreakvengeanceonme，drivemetodespair，andmakemeunhappyformywholelife！"
　　"I！"sheexclaimed，mournfully;"Iwishtomakeyouunhappy？"
　　"Yes，you，"hesaidbitterly;"youseemysufferings，andgloatoverthem;youfeelthatIloveyouboundlessly，andwithcold，sneeringprideyoutrytoresentmyformercontemptiblehaughtiness。Youopposeyourpeasantpridetomyinsensatearistocraticpride;youwanttomakemegomadordieheart—broken，andyourcoolnessneverleavesyouforamoment，andmygriefmakesnoimpressiononyou;
　　for，whenIamdead，youwillbeabletoexclaim:'IfoughtformycountryasabravedaughteroftheTyrol！IkilledaBavarian，I
　　brokehisheartlaughingly！'"
　　"Youlie，Ishallneversayso！"criedEliza，inanoutburstofgenerousindignation;"youlieifyouthinkmecapableofsomiserablearevenge;youlieifyoubelievethatIhaveacoldandcruelheart。IwishIhad，forthenIshouldnotsufferwhatIamsufferingnow，andIshouldatleastbeabletoforgetyou。Youreallychargemewithhavingacoldheart，withhatinganddespisingyou？Doyounotsee，doyounotevensuspectwhatIamsufferingforyoursake？Lookatme，then;seehowpalemycheeksare;seehowdimmyeyesare！Idonottakeanynoticeofit，Idonotlookatmyselfinthemirror——whyshouldI，andforwhom？——butmothertellsmesoeveryday，andweepsforme。AndwhyamIsopaleandthin，andwhyaremyeyessodim？Becausemyheartisfullofgrief;becauseI
　　havenorestdayornight;becausethereisinmyheartavoicewhichIcanneversilence，notevenwhenIamprayingorkneelingintheconfessional。DoyouthinkIamgrievingforthesakeofthecountryorthebloodywar？Whatdoesthecountryconcernme？Ithinknolongerofit，andyeteverybattlemakesmetremble;andonnearingtheboomingofartillery，IkneeldownandpraywithtearsofanguishtotheHolyVirgin。Oh，mayGodforgiveme！Idonotprayformyfather，norforoursoldiers;IprayforaBavarian，Iprayforyou！"
　　"Eliza！"exclaimedUlrich，radiantwithjoy，andstretchingouthisarmstowardher，"Eliza！"
　　"Hush！"shesaid，steppingbackproudly，"donotspeak。Ihavetoldyouthetruth，forIdonotwantyoutoaccuseandcurseme，whenI
　　amblessingyoueveryday。Butnowgo，sir;forgetwhatIhavesaid，butremembermealwaysasonewhoneverhatedyou，andneverthoughtofrevengingherselfuponyou。"
　　"Eliza，"saidUlrich，gravely，takingherhand，andgazingdeeplyintohereyes，"letusnowbehonestandfranktowardeachother。
　　Ourheartshavespokenwitheachother，andGodhasheardthem。Youloveme，andIloveyou。DoyourememberwhatIsaidtoyou;whentakingleaveofyouonthemountain？"
　　"Idonot，sir，"shewhispered，droppinghereyes。
　　"ButIdo，"hecontinued，gravelyandfirmly。"Isaidtoyou:'I
　　willgonow，butIshallreturnandaskyou:"Doyourememberme？
　　Willyoubecomemywife？'"Now，Eliza，Ihavereturned，andaskyouasIaskedyouonthemountain，Eliza，willyoubecomemywife？"
　　"AndIreplyasIrepliedtoyouonthemountain，"shesaidsolemnly。"Wecanneverbelongtoeachotherashusbandandwife，butwecanremembereachotherasgoodfriends。Andso，sir，Iwillalwaysrememberyou，anditwillalwaysgladdenmyhearttohearthatyouarewellandhappy。"
　　"Isthatyourlastword？"askedUlrich，angrily。
　　"Yes，sir，itismylastword。"
　　"Thenyouareintentonmakingusunhappy？"hecried，mournfully。
　　"Oh，youcrystal—heart，sotransparentandclear，sohard，sohard！
　　Willyounever，then，allowyourselftobesoftenedbythesunbeamsoflove？Willtheyalwaysonlyhardenyourheart？"
　　"Icannotactotherwise，sir，IassureyouIcannot，"shesaid，beseechingly。
　　"Well，then，Icannotactotherwiseeither，"hecried。"Ishallnotacceptthismission，IshallnotgotoMunich，Ishallstayhere。"
　　"No，no，Iimploreyoutogo！"exclaimedEliza。"Savemyimprisonedcountrymen;save，aboveall，myElzaandherfather！Oh，sheisunhappy，shelongsforherhome;sheisweepingforme，foryou，sir！Makehaste，makehaste;havemercyuponElzaandmyself！"
　　"WhyshouldIhavemercywhenyouhavenone？"heasked，quickly。
　　"Lettheprisonersdieofgrief;Iamaprisonertoo，andshallknowalsohowtodie。IshallnotleaveInnspruckunlessyoupromisemethatyouwillbecomemywifeonmyreturn，andplightmeyourfaithbeforethealtarofGod。Iswearbyallthatissacredtome，IwillnotleavethiscityunlessItakewithmeyoursolemnpledgethatyouwillovercomeyourprideandbecomemywife。"
　　"Well，then，"shesaid，blushingdeeply，"go，then。ProcuremyElza'srelease，bringherhome，andthen——"
　　"Andthen？"heasked，asshehesitated。
　　"Thenyoushallreceiveatthehandsofthepriestabridewholovesyou，lovesyouwithinfinitetenderness，"shesaid，inalowvoice。
　　Heutteredacryofjoy，andfoldedhertohisheart。Butshedisengagedherselfgently。"Makehastenow，"shesaid;"forthesooneryondepart，thesooneryouwillreturn。"
　　"Iwillsetoutimmediately，"hecried，radiantwithjoy。"Butsweartome，Eliza，thatIshallreceive，immediatelyonmyreturn，eventhoughitshouldbeearlyinthemorning，atthehandsofthepriest，mybride——thebridewholovesmewithinfinitetenderness。"
　　"IswearbytheHolyVirgin，"saidEliza，solemnly，"thatifyoubringmyElzatomehere，youshallreceiveyourbrideatthehandsofthepriestonthedayofyourreturn，whetheritbeearlyinthemorningorlateatnight。"
　　"CaptainUlrich，"shoutedCajetanDoeninger，openingthedoor，"itishightimeforyoutosetout。Thecarriagehasbeenatthedoorforupwardofanhour。"
　　"Iamready，"saidUlrich，holdingouthishandtoElizawithahappysmile。"Farewell，Eliza;IshallreturnwithyourElzaintwoweeks。"
　　CHAPTERXXXVII。
　　ELZA'sRETURN。
　　AsplendidfestivalwasbeingcelebratedatInnspruckonthe3dofOctober，andthereweregreatrejoicingsinthecity。AmessageofloveandjoyhadreachedInnspruckfromtheheadquartersoftheEmperorFrancisatTotis。ThreeoftheformerleadersoftheTyroleseinsurrection，whohadescapedtoAustriaatthetimeofthesecondinvasionoftheBavarians——Sieberer，Frischmann，andEisenstecken——hadarrivedatInnspruckascouriersoftheemperor。
　　TheyhadsucceededinpassingthroughStyriaandCarinthia，althoughboththeseprovinceswereoccupiedbyFrenchtroops，andhadsafelyarrivedatInnspruckamidthejubilantacclamationsofthepopulation。TheybroughtcheeringnewsfromtheEmperorFrancis。Hesenttothecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，hisbelovedandfaithfulAndreasHofer，alargegoldchainandmedalcontainingtheemperor'sportrait;andhesentalsothreethousandflorinsasagifttothebravesharpshooters。Butbetterthanallthiswasanautographletterfromtheemperor，whoextolledinitthebraveryoftheTyrolese，calleduponthemtopersevereintheirresistance，andpromisedthatAustriawouldsuccorthemvigorouslywithmoneyandtroops。TheletterstatedthattheemperorwouldsoondispatchBaronvonReschmannwithfundsandfullinstructionstotheTyrol，wherehewouldactascommissionerandintendantofthearmy，andthattheTyrolesemightconfidentlylookforthespeedyresumptionofhostilities。
　　Thesejoyfultidingswerereceivedwithunboundedenthusiasm，andAndreasHofer'sfacebeamedwithdelightwhenhewasformallyinvestedwiththegoldmedalandchaininthegreatchurchofInnspruck，atthefootofthetombofMaximilian，bytheAbbotofWiltau，amidthetearsandacclamationsofavastconcourseofspectators，whoafterward，precededbythemunicipalauthorities，accompaniedhiminsolemnprocessiontotheimperialpalace。Andreaspresentedasplendidappearanceinthefinegold—embroidereduniformwhichheworeto—dayinhonorofthecelebration，inplaceofhisTyrolesecostume;hisheavygoldchainandthemedalwiththeemperor'sportrait，glitteredunderhisfineblackbeardonhisbreast，andheworeablackhatwithaplumeandinscriptiontohimasthecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，thegiftoftheholysisterhoodofInnspruck。
　　AndreasHofer'sfaceshonewithhappinessashewalkedalonginthismanneramidtheacclamationsofthewholepopulationandtheringingofallthebells;buthisheartwasneverthelessfullofhumility，andliftinghisbeamingeyestoheaven，hemurmuredtohimself，"O
　　myLordandGod，Thouhastaccomplishedeverything;Thouhastprotectedusandvouchsafedusvictory！GlorytoTheealone！
　　Preserveme。OLord，fromprideandarrogance，andletmerecognizealwaysthatIamnothingbutThyunworthyservant，andthatThoualonevouchsafestusvictoryandblessestourcause！"
　　Theimperialpalacewasfestivelydecoratedto—day，andasplendidbanquetwastotakeplacethereinhonorofthecelebration。AllthefunctionariesofInnspruckhadbeeninvited;abrilliantballwastobegivenatnightinthelargethrone—hall，andthebeautifulgirlsofInnspruckweretodancetotheinspiringnotesoftheorchestrainhonorofthefestiveday。ForthefirsttimeAndreasHoferhadpermittedmusicanddancing，andallthebeautifulgirlsofInnspruckwerepreparingtotakepartinthebrilliantfestivalandenjoytherareamusement。
　　Allfaceswereradiant;evenEliza'ssweetcountenancewaslitupto—daywiththesunshineofhappiness。Agreatjoyhadfallentohershareto—day，forUlrichvonHohenberghadarrivedearlyinthemorning，andwithhimhisuncle，oldBaronvonHohenberg，andhisdaughterElza。Ulrichbadredeemedhispromise;preciselytwoweekshadelapsedsincehisdeparture，andnow，aftertheseterribledaysofsuspense，whichElizahadpassedintears，insilence，andatthesametimeinmysteriousactivity，Ulrichhadreturned，andwithhimElza，Eliza'sdearestfriend。
　　UlrichhadlookedonwithanexpressionofquiethappinesswhenElizaembracedherElza，againandagainwithtearsofjoy;shekneltdownrepeatedlybythesideofthecouchonwhichhadbeenlaidtheoldbaron，whosestrengthhadbeenutterlyexhaustedbythejourney，theexcitement，andthesufferingshehadenduredinprison;shepressedhishandstoherlipstenderly，andwithalhumbly，andthankedGodthathergoodoldfriendandherElza，thebetterhalfofherlife，badbeenrestoredtoher。
　　Butafterthisimpetuousandjoyousmeeting，theoldbaronfeltsoveryfeeblethatheurgentlyneededreposeandsilence，andElzahadtoconducthimtothebedroomwhichhadbeenpreparedforhim。
　　ElizaandUlrichwerealonenow。Shetrembled，and，wishingtoavoidthistete—a—tete，glidedsoftlytothedoor;butUlrichhastenedafterherandseizedherhand。
　　"Eliza，"hesaid，solemnly，"Ihavefulfilledallyourwishes。I
　　havebroughtbackwithmemyuncleandyourfriendElza;theKingofBavariaacceptedtheexchangewhichIoffered;hereleasedthebaronandhisdaughter，andAndreasHofersetsmefreeinhisturn。Iam，therefore，nolongeraprisoner，andasafreemanIaskyounow，doyouremembertheoathyousworetomeonthedayofmydeparture？"
　　"Ido，"shewhisperedinalowvoice。
　　"Repeattheoathtome，"hesaid，imperatively。
　　"Myoathwasasfollows:'IswearbytheHolyVirginthat，ifyoubringmyElzatomehere，youshallreceiveyourbride，wholovesyouwithinfinitetenderness，atthehandsofthepriest。'"
　　"Youhavenotforgottenthewords，Eliza。Butwillyoufulfilthemnow？"
　　"Youinsistonit？"sheasked，lookinguptohimtimidlyandmournfully。
　　"Yes，Ido，"hesaid，withablissfulsmile。
　　"Well，then，"shewhispered，almostinaudibly，"Ishallkeepmyoath。"
　　Heutteredajoyouscry，pressedherhandtohislips，andgazedwithanexpressionofinfinitetendernessintoherblushing，quiveringface。
　　"Oh，donottremble，love，"hesaid;"donotlookanxiouslyintothefuture。Ishallknowhowtoprotectmywifefromgriefandhumiliation。Tomakeyouhappyshallbemysweetestjoy;toseeyouhonoredandrecognizedbysocietywillbemyincessanteffort，asitwillbemyboundenduty。Youwillfulfilyouroath，andyoumustdoitthisveryday。Letmego，then，andgetapriest;andyou，mysweetgirl，placeamyrtle—wreathonyourhead，forIshallcallforyousoonandconductyoutriumphantlytothegreatchurchofInnspruck;forourmarriageshalltakeplacepubliclyandinthefaceofthewholepopulation。"
　　"No，sir，"shesaid，shakingherheadgently。"Iwillredeemmypromise，butIbeg，nay，Iimploreyou，permitmetomakeallnecessaryarrangements，andletmehaveforoncemyownway。"
　　"Andwhatdoyouwish，then，beloved？"
　　"Iwishthatnooneshouldlearnofourplan，andthatyoushouldconcealitalldaylongfromeveryone，andspeakofittonoone，neitherwithyouruncle，norwithElza，norwithAndreasHofer。"
　　"ButhowamItogetapriesttomarryus？"
　　"Leaveitalltome，sir。Iwillgetapriest。IhaveconfidedonlytomydearoldfriendJoachimHaspinger，theCapuchin，whowaslatelyinInnspruck，whatwouldtakeplaceincaseyoushouldreturnwithmyElza，andhepromisedthathehimselfwouldmarryus。
　　Accordingly，onbeinginformedthismorningbythecourierofyourspeedyarrival，IsentatonceamountedmessengertoFatherHaspinger，andIamsurethathewillcometoInnspruckto—day。"
　　"Youintended，then，toredeemyourpromiseofyourownaccord！"
　　exclaimedUlrich，joyfully;"youthoughtofitwithoutbeingremindedofit。Oh，Ithankyou，myEliza，forIseenowthatyoureallyloveme。"
　　"Yes，sir，Ireallyloveyou，"saidEliza，solemnly。"Youwillfinditoutthisveryday。Willyoupromisemenowtoconcealourplanfromeveryone，andletmemakeallnecessaryarrangements？"
　　"Ido，mysweetgirl。TellmewhatIamtodo，andIwillobeyyousilentlyandunconditionally。"
　　"Well，then，dearUlrich，"shesaid，inatremulousvoice，"cometo—
　　night，atnineo'clock，tothechapelhereintheimperialpalace。
　　Asawitness，Ihopeyouwillfindthereourdearcommander—in—
　　chief，AndreasHofer。FatherHaspingerwillstandbeforethealtar，andyourbetrothedwillkneelbeforethealtartoo，readytobecomeyourwife，andloveandserveyouallherlife。"
　　"AndIshallfindtheremybetrothed，towhomIshallplightmyfaithbeforethealtar，andwhomIwillloveandcherishallmylife！"exclaimedthecaptain，inprofoundemotion。
　　Shebentherheadgently，asiftoaccepthissolemnvow。"Thenyouwillcometothechapelatnine？"sheasked。
　　"Iwill，"hesaid，smilingly，"andyoumaybesurethatIshallbepromptlyonhand。Ishallbeaspunctualasthediggerafterahiddentreasure，whomustdisinteritatthestatedhour，ifhedoesnotwanttoloseitentirely。Ishallbeatthechapelatnineo'clock。"
　　"Verywell，atnineo'clock。Andnowfarewelluntilthen，sir。I
　　haveagreatdealtoattendtoyetingettingupthebridaldressandornaments，forIdonotwantyoutobeashamedofmeto—day，Ulrich。Yourbridemustnotlooklikeapeasant—girl。Shemustbedressedupbeautifully，likeanaristocraticlady——likeElza，forinstance。"
　　"Dressasyouplease，"hesaid，smilingly，"butdonotbelievethatIshalleverbeashamedofthepeasant—girl，andtrytoconcealthedescentofmysweet，lovelywife。"
　　"Andwillyouridewithmeto—morrowtomyfather'shouse？"sheasked。"Willyoupresentyourselftomyfather，AnthonyWallner，commanderofthePustervalley，ashisson—in—law？Oh，youknowfullwell，AnthonyWallnerisahero;notonlytheTyrol，butallGermanyisfamiliarwiththeheroicdeedswhichheperformedatthebattleofTaxenbachagainsttheBavarians。Hehastakenthefieldagain，and，afterjoiningtheforcesunderJosephSpeckbacher，andFatherHaspinger，hewillattacktheBavariansatthePassofLueg，and，ifitpleaseGod，defeatthem。Isuppose，Ulrich，youwillaccompanymetomyfather，AnthonyWallner，andaskyourfather—in—lawtogiveyouhisblessing？"
　　"Butyoutoldmejustnow，Eliza，thatheisnotathome？"
　　"Well，then，"sheexclaimed，earnestly，"wewillridetothePassofLueg。"
　　Ulrichwassilent，andlookeddowninevidentconfusion;hedidnotseethatElizafixedhereyesonhimwithasearching，mournfulexpression。
　　"Eliza，"hesaid，afterapause，liftinghisheadslowly，"youpossessamagnanimousheartandadelicatesoul。Yourheartwillforgiveme，therefore，fornotfulfillingyourwish，andyoursoulwillunderstandthatIcannotfulfilit。YourfatheristhecommanderoftheTyrolese，whohaveriseninrebellionagainstBavaria，andheisfightingagainsttheBavarians，mycountrymenandcomrades。Ihaverecoveredmyliberty，butIhadtoswearnottotakeuparmsagainduringthepresentwaragainsttheTyrolese。TheKingofBavariapermittedmetotakethisoath，andorderedmetoreturntoMunich，whereIamtoremaintilltheendofthewar。I
　　mustsetoutfortheBavariancapitalto—morrow，andmysweet，belovedwifewillaccompanyme。Afterthewarisover，andwhenthereispeaceagaininthebeautifulTyrol，IshallreturnwithmyElizatoherhome，andaskmyfather—in—law，AnthonyWallner，togivemehisblessing。Ishallbeatlibertythentopraisehisheroismloudly，andloveandhonorhimasmywife'sfather。DoyouunderstandthatIcannotactotherwise，beloved？"
　　"Ido，"shereplied;"IdounderstandthattheBavarianCaptainUlrichvonHohenbergcannotnowgototheTyrolesecommander，AnthonyWallner，askhim，whileheisfightingagainsttheBavarians，toblesshim，andcallhimfather—in—law。Letusleaveittothefuturetograntuspeaceandhappiness。"
　　"YouunderstandthatIcannotactotherwise，"hesaid，anxiously。
　　"Butyouaresad？Iseeacloudonyourforehead，Eliza。"
　　"No，notacloud，"sheexclaimed，shakingherhead。"Everythingisclearinmymind，andIseedistinctlywhatImustdo。Come，then，tothechapelatnine;everythingwillbeinreadinessthere。"
　　"Youwillbethere，mylovelybride，"exclaimedUlrich，blissfully，openinghisarmstoher。"Oh，donotavoidme，Eliza;youareminenow，yourplaceisonmyheart，donotavoidme！See，Iamsubmissiveandobedient，andIwillnottakewhatyoudonotgivemeofyourownaccord。Butgivemenowyourbridalpresent，Eliza;givemethefirstkissoflove！"
　　"No，sir，"shesaid，almostanxiously;"onthewedding—daynopiousbridemustdesecrateherlipsbykissingorpartakingoffoodbeforegoingtothealtar。Onlydevoutthoughtsshouldfillherheart;andsheoughttoprayandimplorethesaintstovouchsafehappinesstoher。Letmego，therefore，andfulfilmysacredduties。"
　　"Yes，mysweet，innocentdove，Iwillletyougo，"saidUlrich，gently。"PraytoGodandthesaintsforyouandme，butbepunctualto—night。"
　　"Ishall，sir。Now，farewell。Gooutbythisdoor，forElzaiscomingtome。Ihavetotellheragreatmanythingsyet。"
　　"Shewillknowyoursecretthen？YouwillconfidetoherwhatIamnottobetraytoanyone？"
　　"No，sir，Ishalltellhernothingaboutit。NoonebutGodmustknowmysecret。Forthelasttime，then，farewell，sir！"
　　"Farewell，Eliza！Oh，givemeyourhand！Letmepressitoncetomyheart！Oh，fearnothing，Eliza，myunholylipsshallnotdesecrateevenyourhandto—day。NowIwillgo，mychild;farewelluntilto—
　　night，mysweetlove！"
　　Hebowedtoherwithablissfulsmile，andlefttheroomquickly。
　　Elizalookedafterhim，motionless，breathless，listeningtohisfootsteps，andheavingadeepsighwhentheydiedawayinthedistance。Thenshelaidbothherhandsconvulsivelyonherheart。
　　"Oh，itisingreatpain！"shemurmured。"Itseemedatonetimeasthoughitwouldbreak，andasthoughIshoulddieonthespot。ButI
　　mustnotdie，norevenweep。AndIfeelthatthegoodGodhelpsme，andthatheapprovesofwhatIamgoingtodo。ItwasGodHimselfwhopromptedmetoaskUlrichifhewouldaccompanymetomyfather。
　　Hewasobligedtoreplythathecouldnotgototheenemy，thoughthisenemywastobecomehisfather—in—law。Whenhetoldmethat，myheartbridledup，andwasoncemoregladandstrong。IknewallatoncethatIwasdoingright，andIwillcarryoutmyplantothebitterend。Buthush，hush！herecomesElza！Imustputonacheerfulfacenow。"
　　"Lizzie，myLizzie，areyouhere？"askedElza，openingthedoor。
　　"Yes，hereIam，Elza，"exclaimedEliza，whohastenedwithasmilingfacetoherfriend。
　　"AndwhereisUlrich？Whyishenothere？Oh，Isatwithsuchathrobbingheartatfather'sbedside;Ilongedsomuchforhimtofallasleep！Oh，Lizzie，Ihavetotellyousomanythings！Ah，youdonotknowhowhappyIwasduringthissplendid，charmingjourney！
　　TobealwaysbyUlrich'sside，whatabliss！Andhowtenderlyandattentivelyhetookcareofmydearoldfather，justlikeagood，gratefulson，whowouldliketoguessfromhisfather'seyeseverywishhemightentertain。Ioftenwepttearsofjoyonseeinghimsupportmyfather，almostcarryinghimintothecarriage，andarranginghisseatforhim，andonhearinghimcomforttheoldmaningentleyetmanlywords。UlrichdidnotspeakofGodandthesaints，andyetwhathesaidwaspious，piousasaprayerofholycharity。Oh，hownoble，good，brave，andgentle，Ulrichis！"
　　"Andyoulovehim，Elza，doyounot？"
　　"Yes。Ilovehimwithallmyheart，andshallforevermore。Butwhereishe？WhereisUlrich？Washenotwithyou？"
　　"Hewas，Elza;heleftmeatthemomentwhenyoucame。"
　　"Hewasheresolong？Andwhatdidyouspeakof？Oh，tellme，Eliza，whatdidyouspeakof？"
　　"Ofyou，Elza，"saidEliza，withawondrous，radiantexpression。
　　"Ah，ofme！"exclaimedElza，joyfully。"Oh，tellme，Lizzie，doyouthinkhelovesme？"
　　"Idonotbelieveit，Elza，Iknowitforcertain。Heintrustedmewithanimportantcommissionforyou，andasksofyouagreatproofofyourlove。Come，Elza，letusgotomyroom。Wewillbesuretherenottobeoverheardbyanyone。Iwilltellyoueverythingthere。"
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII。
　　THEWEDDING。
　　Nighthadcome，andthepeopleofInnspruckhadnotyetsetboundstotheirrejoicings。Allthestreetswerebrilliantlyilluminated;afestiveperformancewasplayedatthetheatre，andtheapartmentsattheimperialpalacebegantofillwiththeguestswhohadbeeninvitedtotheball。
　　ButwhilethepalacewasshiningwithsplendidlustreforthefirstandlasttimeduringthereignofAndreasHofer，oneofitswingshadremainedgloomyandsilent。Itseemedasthoughtheloudvoicesoftheworldshrankfrompenetratinghither。Eventhesentinelpacingthelong，desertedcorridor，trodmoresoftlyandcrossedhimselfeverytimehereachedtheendofthepassage。Fortheimperialchapellayattheendofthecorridorinthiswingofthepalace，andthroughthehighwindowsthereonecouldlookdownuponthealtarandtheholylamp。
　　Thesentinelhadjustwalkedupthecorridoroncemoreslowlyanddreamily，whenhesuddenlysawtwomencomingalong。Hestoodstillrespectfullyandpresentedarms。ThesetwomenwereAndreasHofer，thecommander—in—chief，andOldRed—beard，JoachimHaspinger，whowaswalkingbyhisside，inhisbrowncowlandhisheavyleathershoes。Onapproachingthesentinel，AndreasHoferstoodstillandnoddedkindlytohim。"Itisnotnecessaryforyou，Joe，tostandhereallaloneandpresentarms。IknowyouareoneofthebestdancersinthePasseyrvalley，andasthereisaballatthepalace，youhadbettergothereanddance。IbelievethegoodGodHimselfwillwatchoverHischapelhere。"
　　"Muchobligedtoyou，commander—in—chief——muchobligedtoyou！"
　　exclaimedthesoldier，joyfully;andherandownthecorridorasfastashisfeetwouldcarryhim。"Howgayandhigh—spiritedtheseyoungfolksare！"sighedHofer。
　　"Andwhyareyounotmerrytoo，brotherAndy？"askedtheCapuchin。
　　"Agreathonorwasconferreduponyouto—day;theypaidyouhomageandcheeredyouasthoughyouweretheMessiah。Thewholecityisilluminatedforyoursaketo—night;atthetheatre，theorchestraplayedflourishesthreetimes，andthewholeaudiencerosethemomentthecommander—in—chiefenteredthehouse。Butscarcelyhadthemoroseherobeenthereaquarterofanhourwhenhesneakedoffagain。Ifollowedhimstealthily，andfoundhimatlastinhisoffice;andwhilethewholecityisrejoicing，hesitsatthetablecoveredwithpapers，andweepsbigtearsintohisbeard！"