willyoufollowme，or——"
"Sire，thereisno'or，'"interruptedCountMetternich。"Itisyourmajesty'sincontestablerighttoleadtheway，andindicatetomethecourseIamtopursue。"
"Thatisright;Iliketohearthatkindoflanguage！"exclaimedtheemperor，holdingouthishandkindlytothecount。"Youmaydependuponitnowthatwetwoshallremainyetalongwhiletogether，andthat，sincewearegoingtohavepeaceinthecountry，weshallruletogetherintranquillityandharmony。There，takethepapernowtoyourroom，andreaditattentively，thatyoumaybecomethoroughlyfamiliarwithit;aboveallthings，donotforgetthesecretarticles，foryouknowtheyarealwaysthemostimportantofall。
Prayreturntomeinanhourfromnow;wewillthenworktogether。"
"Sire，Ishallbeherepunctually，"saidCountMetternich，bowingdeeply，andwalkingbackwardtothedoor。
"IbelieveheWILLbeherepunctually，"saidtheemperor，smiling，afterMetternichhadlefttheroom。"Heisafraid，ifheshouldnotbepromptlyatmydoor，itmightneveropentohimagain。IwantthemalltofeelthatIamtheirmasterandemperor——Ialone！NowI
amthroughwithMetternich，anditismybrother'sturn。Iwillgivehimto—dayalessonwhichhewillnotforgetallhislifelong。"
Theemperorrangthebell。"Hasmybrother，theArchdukeJohn，notyetarrived？"heaskedthefootmanwhoenteredtheroom。
"Yourmajesty，thearchdukehasjustarrived，andiswaitingforyourorders。"
"Irequestmybrothertocometomeimmediately，"saidtheemperor。
Afterthefootmanhadglidednoiselesslyoutoftheroom，Franciswalkedrepeatedlyupanddown，andhisfaceassumedagloomyexpression。"HeshalllearnnowthatIamhismaster，"hemurmured;
"Iwillbreakhishaughtyspirit，andhumiliatehimsodeeplythathewillneverthinkanymoreofplottingagainstme。"
Atthismomentthedooropened，andtheArchdukeJohn，whomthefootmanannounced，enteredtheroom。Helookedpaleandsad;thelastmonths，fullofcareandgrief，hadgnaweddeeplyintohissoul，anddeprivedhiseyesoftheirfire，andhisformofitsyouthfulfulness。
Theemperorsawit，andasardonicsmileilluminatedforamomenthisfeatures，which，however，quicklyresumedtheirgloomyexpression。"Ah，brother，"exclaimedtheemperor，greetingthearchdukewithaslightnodofhishead，"wehavenotseeneachotherforalongtime;hence，Isentforyou。Iwishtocommunicateimportantnewstoyou。Thewarisatanend。IhaveconcludedpeacewiththeEmperoroftheFrench。"
"Peace？"askedJohn，incredulously。"Yourmajestycondescendstojest，andthatisagoodsymptomofyourmajesty'sexcellenthealth。"
"Ineverjestwithyou，"saidtheemperor，dryly。"Itellyouindeadearnest，IhaveconcludedpeacewithNapoleon。Austrialosesagreatdealbythispeace;shecedesone—thirdofherterritory，andpays，moreover，besidesthecontributionsimposedheretofore，thesumofeighty—sixmillionsoffranc。"[Footnote:NapoleonsignedthetreatyofSchoenbrunnonthe14thofOctober1809。]
"ButwhatoftheTyrol？"askedJohn。"IamsureyourmajestywillkeepthefaithfulTyrol？"
"No，"saidFrancis，lookinghisbrotherfullintheface，"theTyrolwillbedivided;onepartofitwillberestoredtoBavaria;theotherpartwillbegiventotheViceroyofItaly，andbecomeaprovinceofFrenchItaly。"
"Thatisimpossible！"criedJohn，indismay;"thatcannotbeyourwill——"
"Andwhynot？Whyisitimpossible？"askedtheemperor，sternly。
"Yourmajesty，"saidJohn，facinghisbrotherboldly，"youpledgedyourwordtotheTyrolesesolemnly，inthefaceofGodandthewholeworld，thatyouwouldnotconcludeapeacewhichwouldseparatetheTyrolfromyourmonarchy。"
"Ah，youdaretoremindmeofit？"criedFrancis，inathreateningtone。
"Yes，Ido，"saidJohn，vehemently;"andIhavearighttodoso，foritisIwhopledgedmyhonorthattheimperialpromisewouldberedeemed。ItwasIwhostirreduptheinsurrectionoftheTyrolese，whorepeatedthepromisesoftheirbelovedemperortothem;itwasI
whocalleduponthemintheemperor'snametoorganizeaconspiracyandrebellion，andwhoinducedthemtodrawtheswordandfightfortheirliberty。Yourmajesty，thousandsofthenoblestTyrolesehavelosttheirlivesinthiscontest;thousandsliewoundedandingreatpain;thesoiloftheTyrol，formerlysotranquilandpeaceful，isreekingyetwithgore;thefieldsarenotcultivated;whereprosperityformerlyreigned，thereisnowdistressandstarvation;
wherepeaceandtranquillityprevailed，thereragesaninsurrection;
wheremerryandhappypeopleusedtolive，andwherenothingwasheardformerlybuttheringingnotesoftheRanzdesVachesandthemerryJodlersoftheherdsmen，therearetobeseennowonlypale，mournfulinvalids，totteringalongpainfully，andnothingisheardbuttheboomingofartilleryandthelamentationsoftheimpoverishedandstarvingmountaineers。Andyet，despitealltheirdisastersandprivations，thefaithfulTyrolesestandfirm，fortheirheartsarefullofhopeandlovefortheiremperor。TheyriskedallinordertobecomeAustriansagain;andevennow，whenthedeplorablearmisticehascompelledyourtroopstosheathetheirswords，thefaithfulandconfidingTyrolesecontinuetheirstrugglefortheiremperorandthelibertyoftheirbelovedcountry。AllEuropegazeswithastonishmentandadmirationuponthisheroicpeople，whichaloneisyetcourageousenoughtoresisttheFrenchdespot，whichalonedoesnotyetbowtohisdecrees，andstilldrawsitsswordagainsthim，whileallEuropeiscrouchingbeforehiminthedust。Oh，yourmajestycannotandwillnotabandonthisfaithfulpeople，whichlovesyouandbelievesinyou。Itwouldbehightreasontothinkyourmajestycapableofsuchastep，foryoupledgedyourwordtotheTyrolese，andneverwillanEmperorofAustriabreakhiswordandincurthedisgraceofperjuringhimself。"
Theemperorutteredacryofrage，and，entirelyforgetfulofhisassumedcalmness，rusheduponthearchdukewithflashingeyesandupliftedarm。
"Youdaretoinsultme！"hecried。"Youareimpudentenoughtochargemewithperjury！You——"
Thearchdukeonseeinghisbrothersoclosebeforehim，furiousandwithclinchedfist，startedbackafewsteps。"Yourmajesty，"hesaid，"Iamsureyoudonotintendtoinsultyourbrother。Praytakeyourhandaway，forifitshouldtouchmyface，myforehead，I
shouldbeobligedtoforgetthatyouaretheemperor，thatyouaremybrother，andshoulddemandsatisfactionofyou。"
"Theemperorwouldnotgivesatisfactiontoarebel，"saidFrancis，droppinghisarmslowly;"hewouldcrushtherebelbyaword，anddeliverthetraitorintothehandsofhisjudges。"
"Well，then，doso，"exclaimedJohn;"punishme，letmeexpiatewithmybloodtheboldnesswithwhichIremindedyouofthesacredpromisewhichyougavetotheTyrolese。Butdonotforgetyourword;
donotabandonthefaithfulTyrol;donotdestroytheonlyhopeofthesehonest，innocentchildrenofnature，whoconfidesotouchinglyintheiremperor！Oh，yourmajesty，letusbothforgetthevehementwordswhichangerandgriefcausedustoutterjustnow！Iimploreyourmajesty'sforgiveness——IconfessthatIsinnedgrievouslyagainstmyemperor。Butnowhavemercyinyourturn！See，Ibowtoyou，Ikneeldownbeforeyou，andimploreyou，byyourimperialhonorandinthenameoftheTyrol，donotabandontheTyrolanditscommander—in—chief，AndreasHofer，anddonotforgetyoursolemnpromisethatyouwouldneverconsenttoatreatyofpeacethatwouldnotforeverincorporatetheTyrolwithyourstates。YouwanttomakepeacewithNapoleon;butthetreatyhasnotbeenproclaimedyet，theworlddoesnotknowofityet，anditisstillpossibleforyourmajestytobreakoffthenegotiations。Oh，doso，yourmajesty;
redeemthewordyoupledgedtotheTyrol，anddonotconcludeapeacewhichwillnotindissolublyunitetheTyrolwithyourmonarchy。PermittheTyroleseatleasttoconquertheirlibertyoncemore，and，aftertheyhavedoneso，protectit。SendmetotheTyrol，permitmetoplacemyselfattheheadofthebravemountaineers，andyoushallseethattheTyrolesewillriseasonemanandfightwiththecourageoflions。Oh，yourmajesty，sendmetotheTyrol，thattheTyroleseandthewholeworldmaylearnthattheemperorofAustriakeepshiswordanddoesnotabandonthem，andthathesendshisownbrothertotheminordertotellthemthathewillnotconsenttoanypeacewhichwillnotincorporatetheircountrywithAustria！"
Theemperorburstintoloudandscornfullaughter。"Ah，youareveryshrewd，brother，"hesaid;"youthinkImyselfshouldgiveyoupermissiontogototheTyrolandplaythere，withredoubledsplendor，yourpartassaviorandliberatoroftheprovince。YouthinkIamignorantofyournicelittleplan，anddonotknowwhyyouwishtogototheTyrol，andwhatintentionsyouentertaininregardtoit。Yes，sir，Iknowall！Iamawareofyourplans。Iknowthatyouarearevolutionistandrebel。YouwantedtomakeyourselfsovereignoftheTyrol。Thatisthereasonwhyyouincitedthepeopletorebellion，andintriguedandplotteduntilthepoorpeaceablepeasantsbecameinsurgentsandrebelsagainsttheirBavarianking，andunfurledthebannerofbloodwithfranticfanaticism。YousaythousandshavefallenintheTyrolinthestruggleforliberty;yousaythousandsliewoundedonthegorysoiloftheirnativecountry;thatprosperityhasdisappeared，andpovertyandstarvationreignintheTyrol？Well，then，allthisisyourwork;itisyourfault。Youstirreduptheinsurrection，andcommittedtheheavycrimeofincitingapeopletorevolution。TheTyrolbelongedtoBavaria;theTyroleseweresubjectsoftheKingofBavaria;nothinggavethemtherighttoshakeofftheruleoftheirkingandchooseanothersovereign。AndyouthinkIshouldbesoweakastoapproveofthebadexamplesetbytheTyrolese，andencouragethecrimescommittedbytherevolutionists？YouthinkIshouldsanctionyourworkandconsecrateyourtraitorousschemesbypermittingyoutogototheTyrolinordertopreachinsurrectiononcemore，makeyourselfsovereignoftheTyrol，cometoanunderstandingwithM。Bonaparte，andberecognizedandconfirmedbyhimasDukeofTyrol？"
"Brother，"criedJohn，indismay，"I——"
"Hush，"interruptedtheemperor，imperiously;"noonehasarighttosayawordwhenIamspeaking。Iamnotspeakingtoyouasyourbrother，butasyouremperor。Andasyouremperor，Itellyounow，youwillnotgototheTyrol，youwillnotdaretocrossagainthefrontiersoftheTyrolwithoutmypermission;andIpromiseyouthatyouwillhavetowaitalongwhileforthispermission。AndasyouremperorIorderyoufurthertoinformtheTyrolesethatIhaveconcludedpeacewithFrance，andtocalluponthemtolaydowntheirarmsandsubmittotheirfate。"
"Yourmajesty，never，neverwillIdothat！"criedJohn。
"Oh，youthinkthegoodTyrolesewouldthenbegintodoubtthehonestyoftheiradoredarchdukeandwithdrawfromhimtheirlove，whichwastoerectathroneforhim？"
"No，yourmajesty，"saidJohn，lookinghimfullintheface;"ImeanthatIhavepledgedmywordtoprotecttheTyrolese，andhelpandsuccorthemintheirstruggleforlibertyandfortheiremperor，andthatIwillnotincurthedisgraceofhavingcheatedawholepeopleandabusedtheirconfidenceandloveinthemostrevoltingmanner。"
"Oh，youwanttointimatetomeoncemorethatIhavedoneso——thatIhaveabusedtheconfidenceandloveoftheTyroleseinarevoltingmanner？"askedtheemperor，withafreezingsmile。"Nomatter，keepyouropinion;butyoushallsurelyobeyme，anddoitatonceinmypresence。Seatyourselfatmywriting—tableyonder。Youareascholar，andknowhowtowieldthepenquicklyandskilfully。Write，therefore。InformthefaithfulTyrolesethatpeacehasbeenconcluded;orderthemtolaydowntheirarmsandsubmitobedientlytotheirnewmaster。"
"Icannot，brother，"criedJohn，mournfully。"Havemercyuponme！I
cannotdeliverawholepeopletotheexecutioner'saxe。For，ifyouwithdrawyourhandfromtheTyrol，ifyousurrenderittothetendermerciesoftheBavariansandFrench，theywillwreakafearfulrevengeontheTyroleseforallthedefeatsandhumiliationswhichtheheroicmountaineershavemadethemundergo。"
"Thatwilldeterthemountaineersfromenteringintoanymoreconspiraciesandrevolutions，andteachthemtobepatientandsubmissive;andtheywilltherebybecomeanawfulexampletomyownsubjects。Donotdisobeymeanylonger。Seatyourselfandwrite，archduke！"
"No，"criedJohn，vehemently，"yourmajestymaypunishmeasarebel，takemylife，orsentencemetoeverlastingimprisonment，butIcannotobey！Icannotwritesuchaproclamation！"
"Ishallnotpunishyouasarebel，"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders;"Ishallnottakeyourlife，Ishallnotsentenceyoutoeverlastingimprisonment;butIwillwithdrawmyhandentirelyfromtheTyrol。Iwillnot，asIhadresolvedandstipulatedexpressly，givethefugitiveTyrolese，iftheyshouldsucceedincrossingthefrontier，anasylumhereinAustria，andprotectthemtothebestofmypower;butIwilldeliverthemasescapedcriminalstotheirlegitimatesovereigns，thattheymaypunishthemaccordingtotheirdeserts。NorshallI，asIintendedtodo，stipulateinthetreatyofpeacethattheancientconstitutionshallbeconfirmedandguaranteedtotheTyrolese;norshallI，finally，asIhadresolvedtodo，appointacommissionwhichwillaffordrelieftothefugitiveswhoescapewiththeirfamiliestoAustria。ItwillbeyourfaultifthepoorTyrolesearedeprivedoftheseboons，andyouwillexposethedesertedpeopletothemostfearfulpersecutions。"
"No，yourmajesty;nooneshalleverbeabletosaythat，"criedJohn，profoundlymoved。"Iwillobeyyourorderanddrawuptheproclamation。"
Hehastenedtothewriting—table，and，throwinghimselfonachairinfrontofit，utteredadeepgroananddroppedhisheadonhisbreastasthoughheweredying。
"Well，donotreflectsolong，brother，"saidFrancis，"butwrite！"
Johntookupthepen，and，restrainingthetearswhichfilledhiseyes，wrotequicklyafewlines。Hethenroseaspaleasacorpse，and，approachingtheemperorslowly，handedthepapertohim。
"Yourmajesty，"hesaid，solemnly，"Ihavecompliedwithyourorder。
IinformtheTyrolesethatpeacehasbeenconcluded，andexhortthemtosubmit。Willyounowfulfiltheconditions，onaccountofwhichI
havewrittenthistotheTyrolese？WillyougrantanasylumhereinAustriatothosewhoshallsucceedinescapingtheirtormentorsandexecutioners？Willyouappointanimperialcommissionwhichwillaffordrelieftothefugitivesandtheirfamilies？，Andlast，willyouseetoitthattheancientconstitutionisguaranteedtotheTyroleseinthetreatyofpeaceyou？"
"IpledgedyoumywordthatIwoulddoso，dearbrother"saidtheemperor，smiling;"andyouyourselfsaidawhileago，'NeverwillanEmperorofAustriabreakhiswordandincurthedisgraceofperjuringhimself。'Well，readtomenowwhatyouhavewritten。I
shouldliketohearitfromyourownlips。"
Thearchdukebowedandreadinatremulousvoice:
"Dear，braveTyrolese:Thenewsthatpeacehasbeenconcludedwillsoonreachyou。Theemperorhasorderedmetoconfirmthisintelligencetoyou。TheemperorwouldhavedoneeverythingtofulfilthewishesoftheTyrol，but，howevergreataninteresttheemperortakesinthefateofthehonestandexcellentinhabitantsofthatprovince，hehashadtosubmittothesternnecessityofmakingpeace。Iinformyouofthisbyorderofhismajesty，withtheadditionthatitishismajesty'swishthattheTyroleseshouldkeepquietandnotsacrificethemselvesneedlessly。"
"TheArchdukeJohn。"
"H'm！"saidtheemperor，takingthepaperfromJohn'shandandcontemplatingitattentively，"itiswrittenquitelaconicallyindeed。But，nomatter，youhavecompliedwithmyorderanddoneyourduty。"
"Ithankyourmajestyforthisacknowledgment。AndnowthatIhavedonemyduty，Irequestyourmajestytobesograciousastodismissmefromyourservice，andpermitmetoretirefromthecourtintoprivatelife。Ifeelweakandexhausted，andneedrepose。Moreover，sincewehavepeacenow，myservicesaresuperfluousandmaybeeasilydispensedwith。"
"Andyouwishmetodismissyouveryspeedily，doyounot？"askedtheemperor，sarcastically。"Youwouldliketoretireasquicklyaspossibleintoprivatelife，thatthewholeworld，and，aboveall，thedearTyrolese，mayperceivethatthenobleandbelovedArchdukeJohnisdissatisfiedwiththetreaty，andhasthereforewithdrawninangerfromthecourtandserviceofhisemperor？IamsorrythatI
cannotaffordyouthissatisfaction。Youwillremainintheservice;
Idonotacceptyourresignation。Idonotpermityoutoretireintoprivatelife。Youshoulddevoteyourabilitiestothestate;youarenotallowedtowithholdyourservicesfromitatthisjuncture。"
"Yourmajesty，Icannolongerbeusefultothestate。Iamexhaustedtodeath。Irepeatmyrequestinthemosturgentmanner:
dismissmefromtheservice，andpermitmetoretireintoprivatelife。"
"What！"criedFrancis，vehemently。"Youremperorhasinformedyouofhiswill，andyoudaretoopposeit？Thatisaviolationofsubordination，forwhichtheemperor，assupremecommanderofhisarmy，wouldpunishhisrebelliousgeneralrigorously，butforthefactthatthisgeneralunfortunatelyishisbrother。Irepeatit，I
donotacceptyourresignation。Youremainintheservice;Idemanditasyourgeneral—in—chief;Iremindyouoftheoathofallegiancewhichyouhavesworntome，youremperorandmaster。"
"YourmajestydoesrightinremindingmeoftheoathItook，"saidthearchduke，withfreezingcoldness。"Itistrue，Isworethatoath;andasIaminthehabitofkeepingmyword，andasitisdisgracefulforanyonetobreakhiswordandperjurehimself，I
shallfulfilmyoath。Hence，Ishallobeymyemperorandgeneral—in—
chief，andnotleavetheservice。ButnowIaskleaveofyourmajestytowithdrawforto—day，ifyourmajestyhasnothingfurthertosaytome。"
"Yes，Ihavesomethingelsetosaytoyou，mydearbrother，"saidtheemperor，smilingly。"IwillgiveyouaproofofthegreatconfidencewhichIreposeinyou，andwithwhichIcountuponyourdiscretion。IwillcommunicatetoyouafamilysecretwhichisknownatpresentonlytotheEmperorNapoleon，BaronvonThugut，whoactedasmyagentonthisoccasion，andmyself。"
"What！"askedJohn，insurprise;"theEmperorNapoleonisawareofafamilysecretofyourmajesty？"
"Asitconcernshimself，hemustbeawareofit，"saidtheemperor。
"Napoleonintendstomarryasecondtime。"
"Asecondtime？Hashisfirstwife，theEmpressJosephine，then，diedsuddenly？"
"No，shestilllives，andisactingyetatthismomentinParisastheemperor'slegitimateconsort。ButNapoleon，immediatelyafterhisreturnfromGermany，willannulthismarriage，whichwasneverconsecratedbyapriest;hewilldivorcehimselfsolemnlyfromhiswife，andhavethentherightofmarryingasecondtime。Herequestedmysecretagent，BaronvonThugut，toaskmeifIwouldconsenttoamarriagebetweenhimandanarchduchessofAustria。I
repliedintheaffirmative，andthisagreementformsoneofthesecretarticlesofthetreatyofpeace。"
"AnarchduchessofAustriaistobecometheconsortoftheFrenchdespot！"criedJohn，indismay。"Andwho，yourmajesty，istobesacrificedtotheMinotaur？Whichofyoursistersorcousinswillyoulethimhave？"
"Noneofmycousinsorsisters，"saidFrancis，calmly，"butmyeldestdaughter，MariaLouisa，istobecometheconsortoftheEmperorNapoleon。"
"MariaLouisa！，"criedJohn，withanexpressionofdismay。"MariaLouisa！"
AndJohnstaggeredbackseveralsteps，aspaleasacorpse，andgraspedthebackofthechairinordernottosinktothefloor。
Francisdidnotseemtoperceivethis。"Yes，MariaLouisawillbeNapoleon'ssecondconsort，"hesaid。"Everythingissettledalready，andthemarriagewilltakeplacenextMarch。Ithink，brother，youmaystandproxyforNapoleononthatoccasion。"
Thearchdukegaveastart，andpressedhishandstohistemplesasifhewereafraidlestthisdreadful"familysecret"wouldbursthishead。
"Yourmajesty，"hesaid，inatremulousandalmostinaudiblevoice，"Ibegleavetowithdraw。"
Withoutwaitingforareply，thearchduketurnedandlefttheroomwithatotteringstep，andleaningnowandthenagainstthewallinordernottosinktothefloor。
Theemperorlookedafterhim，smilingly。"ItseemsHudelistwasnotmistaken，"hesaid。"MydearbrotherreallylovedMariaLouisa，andintendedtobecomemyson—in—law。Whataniceidea！Buthemustgiveitupnow。He——HolyVirgin！Whatnoiseisthatintheanteroom？Whatfelltothefloorthere？"
Theemperorsteppedquicklytothedoorandopenedit。"Whatisthematterhere"heasked。
"Yourmajesty，"exclaimedthefootman，whohastenedtohim，"thearchdukefaintedandfelltothefloor，strikingwithhisheadagainstthecornerofachair，andwoundinghisforehead，whichisbleedingcopiously。"
"Well，Ihopeitisonlyaslightscratch，"saidtheemperor，composedly。"Carrythearchduketohisbedchamberandsendformysurgeon。Iwillafterwardcallonhimmyself。"
Withouttakinganyfurthernoticeofthearchduke，theemperorreturnedintohiscabinetandclosedthedoorafterhim。
"Hefainted，"saidFrancis，triumphantly。"Henceforthheshallbeentirelypowerless。Nooneshallhaveanypowerherebutmyself。Ah，Ihavebrokenhispride，benthiswill，andprostratedhimatmyfeet。Allmybrothersshallbowtome，acknowledgemeastheirmaster，andobeyme。Ah，IbelieveIhaveplayedabadtrickonmybrothers。TheArchdukeJohnwillnotbecomeDukeofTyrol;theGrand—dukeFerdinandofWuertzburgwillnotbeEmperorofAustria，forNapoleonwillbecomemyson—in—law，andhewilltakegoodcarenottodeprivehisfather—in—lawofhisthrone。Ialoneam，andshallremain，EmperorofAustria。"
CHAPTERXL。
DREADFULTIDINGS。
AlltheTyrolesewereinthehighestexcitementandterror。Palefacesweretobeseeneverywhere，andnothingwasheardbuttheanxiousquery:"Isittrue？HasouremperorreallymadepeacewithBonaparte？Isittruethathehasabandonedusentirely，andthatwearetobecomeagainsubjectsofFranceandBavaria？"
Andsome，ofthetimidanddisheartenedsighed:"Itistrue！WereadsoyesterdayintheInnspruckGazette，andtheViceroyofItalyhassenttwomessengersthroughthePustervalleytoproclaimthattheEmperorsofAustriaandFranceconcludedatreatyofpeaceonthe14thofOctober，andthattheTyrolesearetolaydowntheirarmsandbecomeagainsubjectsofFranceandBavaria。"
"Itisnottrue！"criedtheboldandcourageous。"TheEmperorFrancishasnotmadepeacewithBonaparte;andifhehas，hehascertainlynotabandonedtheTyrol，butstipulatedthatweremainwithAustria;forhepledgedushiswordthatwe，should，andtheemperorwillredeemhispromise。"
"Itisnottrue;thereisnopeace，andwearestillatwarwiththeBavariansandFrench，"criedJosephSpeckbacher，"andwewillcontinuethewar。"
"Yes，wewill，"shoutedhisbravemen。
AndasSpeckbachersaid，sodidAndreasHofer，sodidJoachimHaspinger，sodidAnthonyWallner，JacobSieberer，andalltheintrepidcommandersofthesharpshooters。
Ledbytheseheroicmen，theTyroleseformedagainalargearmy，whichtookpositiononMountIsel，andawaitedtheretheBavarianswhoweremarchinguponInnspruckunderthecommandofthecrownprinceLouis。
Thistime，however，theTyrolesewerenotvictorious;theBavariansexpelledthemfromInnspruck，and，onthe29thofOctober，thecrownprinceLouisofBavariamadehistriumphalentryintothecity，afterabloodybattleoffourdays'durationonMountIselandneartheJudenstein。ApartoftheTyroleseforcesremainedonMountIsel，andanotherparthastenedwithunbrokencouragetootherregions，tomeetthearmiesoftheenemyanddrivethembeyondthefrontiersofthecountry。
AnthonyWallnerreturnedwithhissharpshooterstothePustervalley，andadvancedthenceagainstGeneralRusca，whowascomingupfromCarinthiawithhiscorps;heintendedtodefendthefrontiersofhiscountry，againsthimandGeneralBaraguayd'Hilliers，whowasalsoapproachingwithastrongforce。
JosephSpeckbachermarchedhisintrepidmentotheZillervalleyandtheMuhlbachPass，whereheunitedwithJoachimHaspinger，andadvancedwithhimupontheenemy。
Allwereingoodspirits，andnoonebelievedinthedreadfultidingswhichatfirsthadfrightenedthemallsomuch:noonebelievedthatpeacehadbeenmade。
AndreasHoferhimselfthoughtthenewswasfalse。HehadremainedcourageousandundauntedinspiteofthedisastrousbattleonMountIsel，andhesentmessengersthroughoutthecountry，callinguponallable—bodiedmentotakeuparmsandattacktheenemy，whohadinvadedtheTyroloncemore。HewasstillencampedwithhisarmynearMountIsel，andhadestablishedhisheadquartersatSteinach。
ThecrownprinceofBavariahadsenttohimhithertwoplenipotentiaries，whoinformedhimthatpeacehadreallybeenconcluded，andthattheTyrolesehadnocourseleftbutsubmission。
ButAndreasHoferrepliedtotheseplenipotentiaries，shakinghisheadindignantly，"Thatisameanlie;theEmperorFrancis，ourbelovedmaster，willneverabandonhisloyalTyrolese。Hepledgedushisword，andhewillkeepit。Yourintentionistodeceiveus，butyoucannotcatchusbysuchstratagems。WebelieveintheemperorandthegoodGod，andneitherofthemwilleverabandonus！"
AndAndreasHoferreturnedtohisroomwithacalmsmileandwenttobed。
Inthedeadofnight，however，hewassuddenlyarousedfromhissleep。CajetanDoeningerstoodathisbedsideandinformedhimthattheintendantofthePustervalley，BaronvonWorndle，hadarrivedwithanenvoyoftheEmperorFrancis，BaronvonLichtenthurn，andbothwishedurgentlytoseethecommander—in—chief。
"Iwilladmitthem，"saidHofer，risinghastily;"Godgrantthattheyarethebearersofgoodnews！"
HedressedhimselfquicklyandfollowedDoeningerintotheroom，wherehefoundthetwoenvoysandseveralmembersofhissuite。
"Nowtellme，gentlemen，whatnewsdoyoubringtous？"askedHofer，shakinghandswiththetwoenvoys。
"Nogoodnews，commander—in—chief，"sighedBaronvonWorndle，"butthereisnouseincomplaining;wemustsubmitpatientlytowhatcannotbehelped。TheEmperorFrancishasmanepeacewithFrance。"
"Doyousinginthatstraintoo，Mr。Intendant？"askedAndreas，withamournfulsmile。"IshallneverbelieveituntilIseeitinblackandwhite，anduntiltheemperororthedearArchdukeJohninformsmeofit。"
"Ibringittoyouinblackandwhite，"exclaimedBaronvonLichtenthurn，drawingapaperfromhisbosomandhandingittoAndreas。"HereisaletterfromtheArchdukeJohn，whichIamtodelivertoyou。"
Hoferhastilyseizedthepaper，whichcontainedthatproclamationwhichtheArchdukeJohnhadwrittenatTotis，andreaditagainandagainslowlyandattentively。Whilehewasdoingso，hischeeksturnedpale，hisbreathissuedheavilyandpainfullyfromhisbreast，andthepaperrustledinhistremblinghands。
"Itisimpossible！Icannotbelieveit！"heexclaimed，mournfully，gazinguponthepaper。"TheArchdukeJohndidnotwritethis。Justlookatit，hissealisnotaffixedtothepaper。Sir，howcanyousaythatthisletterisfromtheArchdukeJohn？Whereistheseal？
Whereistheaddress？"
"Well，itisnoprivateletter，"saidBaronvonLichtenthurn;"itisanopenletter，aproclamation，whichIaminstructedtoshowtoeverybodyintheTyrol。Aproclamationcannotcontainasealandanaddress。ButtheArchdukeJohnsentit;hehimselfwroteeverywordofit。"
"Idonotbelieveit！"criedAndreas，inatriumphantvoice;"no，I
donotbelieveit。Youarealiar，andwanttobetrayus。Lookathim，myfriends;seehowpaleheturns，andhowhetrembles！ForI
tellyouhehasabadconscience。BringmetheArchdukeJohn'sseal，andthenIwillbelievethatthepaperisfromhim。But，asitis，I
lookuponitasacunningdevicegotupbytheenemytoentrapme。
Arresthim;hemustconfessall。Iwillnotallowmyselftobecaughtbycunningandtreachery！"[Footnote:AndreasHofer'sownwords。——SeeHormayr's"AndreasHofer，"vol。ii，p。490。]
Helaidhisheavyhandupontheshoulderofthebaron，whosanktothefloor，utteringaloudcryofdistress，andfellintofearfulconvulsions。
"See！"criedAndreas，"thatisthepunishmentofHeaven！ThehandofGodhasstruckhim。Heisatraitor，whointendedtosellustotheFrench。"
"No，heisanhonorableman，andhastoldyouthetruth，"saidBaronvonWorndle，gravely。"Yourviolentaccusationfrightenedhim;andhefellintoanepilepticfit。Heisaffectedwiththatdisease。"
[Footnote:Ibid。]
Heandsomeofthebystandersraisedtheunfortunatebaronfromtheground，andcarriedhimintotheadjoiningroom。HethenreturnedtoAndreas，whowaswalkingupanddownwithahastystep，andmurmuringtohimself，"Icannotbelieveit！TheArchdukeJohndidnotwriteit。Hishandwouldhavewitheredwhilewritingit。Hedidnotdoit。"
"Yes，Andreas，hedid，"saidWorndle，gravely;"hewasobligedtosubmit，asweallshallhavetodo。TheArchdukeJohnwasobligedtoyieldtothewillofhisemperorasweshallhavetodo。Thetreatyofpeacehasbeenconcluded。Thereisnodoubtofit。"
"LordGod！thetreatyofpeacehasbeenconcluded，andtheemperorabandonsus？"criedAndreas。