"AndI，too，amreadytoconquerordiefortheTyrolandtheemperor，andsoisthecorpswhosecommanderIam，"exclaimedthearchdukeenthusiastically。"Theemperor，mygraciousmaster，intendstointrustmewiththecommandofthearmywhichistofightwithandfortheTyrol，whichwillchecktheadvanceoftheenemyapproachingtheTyrolfromtheItalianfrontier，andwillsecondandstrengthentheinsurrectionoftheTyrolese。Now，then，myfriendsandcomradesletuspreparethegreatworkbravely，prudently，andcarefully。Collectyourforces，asIshallcollectmine;makeallyourdispositions，andexhortalltobehaveastruesonsoftheTyrol。Aboveallthings，becautious。Keepinchecknotonlyyourtonguesbutyourfaces，especiallyhereinVienna。ForiftheBavarianspieshereferretoutthatAndreasHofer，Speckbacher，andWallnerareinVienna，andthatIhavehadaninterviewwiththem，theirkeennoseswillscentatoncewhatisgoingon，andtheywillsend，evenbeforewereachtheTyrol，somanyBavarianandFrenchsoldiersintoyourcountry，thatyouwillbetiedhandandfoot，andcannotraiseyourarmsonthe9thofApriltoseizeyourrifles。
Therefore，Irepeatit，keepyourfacesincheck，anddonotallowyourselvestobeseeninthestreetsofViennainthedaytime。Yourbeard，Andy，especiallyisatreacherousthing，anditwouldreallybebestfortheBarbonetoshaveoffhislongmourning—flag。"
AndreasHoferseizedhisbeardwithbothhishands，almostinterror，anddrewitcaressinglythroughhisfingers。
"No，"hesaid，"myfriendsandcountrymenknowmebymybeard，andtheBarboneisawelcomeguestintheItalianTyrol。TheywouldnotrecognizemeifIshouldappearamongthemwithasmoothchin;andtheywoulddoubtifitwasAndreasHoferwhotalkedwiththemaboutthegreatconspiracyandinsurrectionincasetheydidnotseehisblackbeard。"
"No，archduke，"saidSpeckbacher，smilingandwinking，"youmustnotobjecttoourAndy'sbeard，foritistheflagroundwhichtheTyrolesewillrally，andwithwhichtheTyrolwilladornitselfonthedayofinsurrection，astheyputontheirbestclothesonthedayofAssumption。Moreover，AndreasHofermustnotbeungrateful;
andhewouldbeungratefulifheshouldcutoffhisbeardandthrowitaway，forhisbeardgainedhimonedayacoupleoffatoxen。"
"Isthattrue，Andy？"askedJohn，laughing。
"Itis，"saidAndreasHofer，gravely。"Mybearddidgainmetwooxen。Ithappenedasfollows;archduke:Iwasquiteayoungmanyet，andhadmarriedmywife，AnnaGertrudeLadurner，onlyayearbefore。
Iwasveryfondofmylittlewife，anddidnotliketositforhoursinthetavern，asIhaddoneheretofore。Istayedathomeoftenenoughinsteadofattendingtomybusiness，andgoingdowntoItalyorGermanytocarryonmytrafficincorn，wine，horses，andoxen，bywhichIhadmadeagreatdealofmoney。Myfriendssneeredatmystayingsomuchathome，andsaid:'AndyHofer，theSandwirth，isahenpeckedhusband，andhiswifeismasterofthehouse。'Thiswasverydisagreeabletome，for，althoughIlovemyAnnaGertrudefromthebottomofmyheart，Ihavealwaysbeenthemaster;andshehasbeenobedienttome，astheBiblesaysitshouldbebetweenhusbandandwife。Well，onedayIsatathomewithafewfriends;weweredrinkingwineinthebar—room。Suddenlythereenteredtheroomanoldbeggarwithatremendousbeardreachingdowntohisgirdle。I
laughatthebeardandrejoiceoveritsenormouslength。Oneofmyfriends，AnthonyWaidlinger，therichAmselwirth，asksme:'Well，Andy，wouldyouliketowearaslongabeardasthat？''Whynot？'I
replymerrily。'Ah，'exclaimsAnthony，laughing，'youmustnottalksosaucily。Youmustnotwearsolongabeard。Yourwifewillnotpermitit，Andy！'Thismakesmeveryangry;Istartup，andhardlyknowwhatIamdoing。'What！'Icry，'mywife？Shemustobeymewhethershelikesitornot。WhatwillyoubetIwillnotshavemybeardforawholeyear？''Iwillbetyoutwooxen，'saysAnthony;
'butletmewarnyou，Andy，youwilllosetheoxen;forIsticktoit，yourwifewillneverpermityoutobecomethelaughing—stockofthechildrenbyappearinginthestreetswithsuchalion'smane。
Thereforeconsiderthematterwell，Andy，forthereistimeyet。
Admitthatyouwillnotwinthebet，fortwooxenareatstake！''I
havealreadyconsideredeverything，'Isay:'andasforthetwooxen，theywillbejustwhatIwant。Ayearhenceyouwillbringthemtome，AnthonyWaidlinger。'Andthispredictionwasfulfilled。
Ididnotshavemybeard，andAnnaGertrude，mywife，rejoicedatherAndy'sbeardinsteadofbeingangryatit，andthoughtitmadeherhusbandlookagreatdealbetter。Whentheyearwasup，AnthonyWaidlingerdrovehistwooxenwithasullenairintomystable，andsaid:'Nowyoumaycutoffyourfurandhaveapillowmadefromitforyourwife。''Ineednotcutoffmybeardforthatpurpose，'I
replied;'itmaybemywife'spillowevenwhileithangsdownonmybreast。Forsheisagoodanddutifulwife，andIamfondlyattachedtoher。'That，archduke，isthestoryofmybeard，whichIhaveworneversince，andwhichhasoftenbeenapillowwhenmylittleboyandthreegirlsfellasleeponmylap，andunderwhichtheyhaveoftenconcealedtheirlittleheadswhentheirmotherwaslookingforthem。
Youwillaskmenomoretocutoffmybeard——thepillowandplaythingofmychildren。"
"No，Andreas，"saidthearchduke，kindly，"Iwillnot。Wearyourfinebeardasyouhavedonehitherto;mayitbe，notwithstandingitsblackcolor，thevictoriousflagroundwhichtheroyalTyroleseshallrallyonrisingfortheirlordandemperor！Andnow，farewell，myfriends;itisdawning，anditistimeforustoreposealittle。
Gohome，therefore，andwhatremainstobesettledyoumaytalkoverto—morrowwithBaronvonHormayr，whowillgiveyoumoneyfortravellingexpenses，andfordistributionamongtheinnkeepers。Dayafterto—morrowyouwillsetoutforhome，andbringtoallloyalTyrolesethejoyfulnewsthatwarwillbreakout。"
"Yes，yes，warwillbreakout！"exclaimedthethreeTyrolese，exultingly。
"Hush，forGod'ssake，hush！"saidJohn，laughing。"Youmustkeepquiet，and，insteadofdoingso，youshoutasjubilantlyasthoughyouwerestandingonacrestoftheBrenner，andhadjustdiscoveredthehiding—placeofachamois。LetmethereforetellyouoncemoreitisnecessarythatthepeopleofViennashouldnotfindoutthatyouareinthecity。Pledgemeyourword，then，thatyouwillnotgointothestreettomorrowinthedaytime，norallowanyonetoseeyou。"
"Wepledgeyouourword！"exclaimedtheTyrolese，withoneaccord;
"wewillnotappearinthestreetto—morrowinthedaytime，anddayafterto—morrowweshallsetout。"
"Yes，weshallsetoutthen，"repeatedAndreasHofer，"andreturntoourmountainsandfriends，andwaitpatientlyandfaithfullyuntilthedaywhenweshallseetherisingtotheskythesignalwhichistotellusthatourdearArchdukeJohnsendsushissoldierstoassistusindeliveringourcountryfromtheenemy，andrestoringit，withourmountains，ourlove，andourloyalty，toourdearEmperorFrancis。Godgrantthatwemaysucceedinsodoing，andmaytheHolyVirginprayforusall，andrestoretheTyroltotheemperor！"
CHAPTERVII。
ANDREASHOFERATTHETHEATRE。
CountStadion，theministerofforeignaffairs，waspacinghiscabinetwithaquickstepandananxiousexpressionofcountenance。
Attimeshestoodstill，and，bendinghisheadtowardthedoor，seemedtolistenintentlyforsomesound;allremainingsilentoutside，hecommencedagainstridingupanddown，andwheneverheapproachedtheclockonthemantelpiecehecastananxiousglanceonit。
"IamafraidHormayrwasnotathome，"hemurmuredmoodilytohimself;"hisservantsdidnotknowwherehewas，andthereforethemischiefcannotbestopped。"
Hedrewagoldensnuff—boxfromhispocketandtookalargepinchfromit。"Isaidattheveryoutset，"hemurmured，"thatweoughttokeepalooffromthesestupidpeasants，whowillonlyinvolveusintroubleandmischief。Butthosegentlemenwouldnotlistentome，and——Really，IbelieveIhearfootstepsintheanteroom。Yes，yes，somebodyiscoming！"
CountStadionwasnotmistaken。Thedooropened，andafootmanannounced，inaloudvoice，"BaronvonHormayr！"
"Lethimcomein，lethimcomein，quick！"saidCountStadion，wavinghishandimpatiently;andwhenHormayrappearedonthethresholdofthedoor，hehastilywenttomeethim。
"Intruth;ittookmyservantsagoodwhiletofindyou！"exclaimedtheminister，angrily。"Ihavebeenwaitingforyouhalfanhour。"
"IwasattheArchdukeJohn'srooms，withwhomIhadbusinessofimportance，yourexcellency，"saidHormayr，emphasizinghislastwords。"Moreover，Icouldnotguessthatyourexcellencywouldwishtograntmeanaudienceatsounusualanhour，andwithoutmyaskingforit。"
"Atsounusualanhour！"criedCountStadion，puttingonepinchofsnuffafteranotherintohisnose。"Yes，yes，atsounusualanhour！
Itwouldhavebeenmoreagreeabletome，too，ifithadbeenunnecessaryformetotroubleyouandmyself。Butitisyourownfault。Youdonotkeepyourword。"
"Yourexcellency！"criedHormayr，indignantly。
"Bah！itistrue。Youdonotkeepyourword。YoupromisedmethatyourTyroleseshouldnotshowthemselves，lestwemightbechargedwithfomentinganinsurrection;anditwasnecessary，also，topreventtheBavariansfromlearningprematurelyourplans。Canyoudenythatyoupromisedthistome？"
"No，yourexcellency，Idonotdenyitatall。"
"Well，yourTyrolesearerunningaroundeverywhere。"
"Pardonme，yourexcellency，thatcannotbetrue。Youmusthavebeenmisinformed。"
"What！misinformed？Howdareyousaysotomyface，sir？Yourbeardman，orbushman，orSandwirthHoferisattheKarnthnerthorTheatre，andistheobservedofallobservers。Isawhimwithmyowneyes;andthatwasthereasonwhyIleftthetheatreandsentforyou。"[Footnote:CountStadion'sownwords。——SeeHormayr's"AndreasHofer，"voli。，p。209]
"Yourexcellencysawhimwithyourowneyes！Then，ofcourse，itmustbetrue，andIwouldbegleaveofyourexcellencytogoimmediatelytothetheatreandtakehimtohishotel。"
"ThatwasjustwhatIwishedtoaskyoutodo，BaronvonHormayr。
MakehasteandinducethisbushmantoleaveViennaimmediately。"
"Hewillleavethecapitalearlyinthemorning。Yourexcellencywillpermitmenowtowithdraw。"
BaronvonHormayrhasteneddownstairs，leftthechanceryofstate，andcrossedtheJoseph'sPlace。OnreachingtheKarnthnerthorTheatre，heboughtaticketattheofficeandenteredthepit。
"TheMarriageofFigaro，"byMozart，wasperformedattheKarnthnerthorTheatreto—night，andthisfavoriteoperaoftheViennesehadattractedsolargeanaudiencethatnotaseatwasvacant，andthebaronhadtoelbowhiswaywithnolittledifficultythroughthecrowdfillingthepit，inordertoreachapointwherehemightbeabletoseeeverypartofthehouse，anddiscoverhimforwhosesakehehadcome。
Atlengthhehadsucceededinadvancingsofarthat，leaningagainstoneofthepillarssupportingtheuppertiersofboxes，hewasabletosurveythelowerpartofthehouse。Butallfaceswereavertedfromit，alleyeswerefixedonthestage。TheoperahadjustreachedthescenewhereCountAlmavivaliftsthecarpetfromthechairandfindsCherubinounderit。Aloudoutburstoflaughterresoundedfromthepittotheuppergallery。Butinthemidstofthedin，aloudandangryvoiceexclaimed:"Ah，youyounggood—for—
nothing，ifIhadyouhereIwouldshowyouhowtobehave！"Andathreateningfistandvigorousarmwasraisedinthemidstoftheorchestra—stalls。
"Goodheavens！thatisreallyAndreasHofer，"murmuredBaronvonHormayr，concealinghimselfanxiouslybehindthepillar。ArenewedshoutoflaughtergreetedHofer'swords，andalleyesturnedtowardthesidewheretheyhadbeenuttered。AndtheresatthegoodAndreasHofer，inhishandsomenationalcostume，withhislongblackbeard，andhisflorid，kind—heartedface。Therehesat，quiteregardlessofthegazewhichtheaudiencefixeduponhim，utterlyunawareofthefactthathewastheobservedofallobservers，andquiteengrossedinlookingatthestage，whereproceededthewell—knownscenebetweenCherubino，thecount，andFigaro。Hefollowedtheprogressoftheactionwithraptattention，andwhenCherubinotriedtoprovehisinnocencebyallsortsofplausibleandimprobablefalsehoods，Hofer'sbrowbecameclouded。Heavertedhiseyesfromthestage，andturnedtohisneighbor。"Why，"hesaid，loudlyandindignantly，"thatboyisasgreataliarasthoughhewereBonapartehimself！"
Nowthemerrimentoftheaudienceknewnolongeranybounds。Theyapplauded，theyshouted，"Bravo！bravo！"Theyforgotthesceneonthestageentirely，anddevotedtheirexclusiveattentiontothequeer，beardedstrangerintheorchestra—stall，onwhomalleyesandopera—glasseswerefixed。
BaronvonHormayrbehindhispillarwipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead，andcastfuriousglancesonAndreasHofer，who，however，wasutterlyunawareofhispresence，andfromwhosebreast，protectedasitwasbyhisbeardandcrucifix，reboundedallsuchglanceslikebluntedarrows。
Theactors，who，interruptedbytheunexpectedcheers，andtheincidentintheaudience，hadpausedafewminutes，andhadthemselveshardlybeenabletorefrainfromburstingintolaughter，nowcontinuedtheirscene，andthecharmsofthemusicandtheinterestingcharacteroftheactionsoonsucceededagaininrivetingtheattentionoftheaudience。
AndreasHofer，whohadinthemeantimerelapsedintohissilentastonishment，gazedfixedlyuponthestage。BaronvonHormayrlefthisplacequietlyandwalkedtotheentrance。Heslippedaflorinintothehandofthedoorkeeper，whowasleaningagainstthewall。
"Say，"hewhisperedtohimhastily，"assoonasthecurtaindrops，gotothegiantwiththelongbeard，whositsintheorchestra—stallyonder，andwhosewordsamusedtheaudiencejustnow。Heisacattle—dealerfromHungary，andImustseehimatonce。Justwhisperinhisearthathiscountrymanwiththewineandhorseshasarrived，anditisnecessaryheshouldcomeandseehimrightaway。——ThankGod，thecurtainfalls！Nowmakehaste。Ifyoubringthecattle—
dealerwithyouintothecorridor，Iwillgiveyouanotherflorin。"
Thedoorkeeper'sfacebeamedwithsatisfaction;heelbowedhimselfcourageouslythroughthecrowd，andsucceeded。inreachingthe"cattle—dealerfromHungary，"whosatabsorbedinhisreflections，withhisheadbentonhisbreast。Hetouchedhisshouldersoftlyandwhisperedhismessageintohisear。
AndreasHofergaveastartandstaredatthedoorkeeper。"Whatcountrymen？"heasked;"andhowcanhebringtomewineandhorseshereas——"
"Idonotknowanythingaboutit，"whisperedthedoor—keeper;"I
knowonlythatyourcountrymanwiththewineandthehorsesiswaitingforyou，andthathesayshemustseeyourightaway。"
"Well，then，come，conductmetohim，"saidAndreas，risingfromhischair，anddrawinguphiscolossalformtoitsfullheight。"I
shouldliketoknowwhothiscountrymanis。Leadtheway，sir;I
willfollowyou。"
Thedoorkeeperretracedhisstepsthroughthecrowd;AndreasHoferfollowedhim，greetingkindlyandpleasantlyinalldirections，andpushingasidethemenlikeflieswhenevertheystoodinhisway。
Atlengththeyreachedthedoor，andsteppedintothecorridor。
BaronvonHormayr，likeatigerpouncinguponhisprey，rusheduponAndreasHofer，seizedhisarm，anddrewhimdownthecorridorintotheouterhall，whichwassodesertedandsilentthattherewasnodangeroftheirconversationbeingoverheardbyaneavesdropper。
HereatlengthHormayrstoodstillanddroppedthearmofAndreasHofer，whohadfollowedhim，dumfoundedwithastonishment，andglancingaroundasiflookingforsomebodyelse。
"Andy，"exclaimedHormayr，vehemently，"whatamItothinkofyou？
TheTyrolesealwayskeeptheirpromises，andtothinkthatourhonestSandwirthaloneshouldnotdoso！YoupledgedmeyourwordthatyouwouldconcealyourpresencehereinViennaasmuchaspossible，andnowyouarerunningaboutthecityinyournationalcostumeandwithyourbeardedfacetoheartheopera—trillsandseehowtheballet—dancersstretchtheirlegs！"[Footnote:Hormayr'sownwords。——SeeHormayr's"AndreasHofer，"vol。i。，p。209。]
"AndreasHoferneverbreakshisword，"saidHofer，gravely。"I
promisednottoappearinthestreetsintheday—time，andIhavefaithfullykeptmyword。Istayedathomeallday，anditwasonlyafternightfallthatwethreewenttogetherintothestreet。
SpeckbacherandWallnerwenttotheArchdukeJohn'sgunsmith，AnthonySteger，totakeleaveofhim，andIintendedtogotoSt。
Stephen'sCathedraltoattendvespers。ButIamastrangerinthecity，andhappenedtolosemyway。AllatonceIgotintoadensecrowd，andthoughtIhadarrivedatSt。Stephen'sCathedral，andthatthecrowdconsistedofpiousChristiansgoingtovespers;
hence，Iallowedmyselftobedrawnalongintothedoor，becauseI
thoughtitwasthechurch。"
"Andonbuyingaticket。Andy，yousupposedyoupurchasedindulgence，didyounot？"
"No，Ididnot，"saidAndreasinatoneofembarrassment。"But，onseeingallthosepersonssteptotheofficeandgettickets，I
thoughttherewereChristianpassion—playsperformedthere，asatInnspruckinLent;andonhearingthemanstandingbeforemeshouting，'Ticketforanorchestra—stall，'Ishouted，also，'Ticketforanorchestra—stall，'andthrewaflorinonthetable。Thereupontheyhandedmeaticket，andIfollowedtheothersintothehall。
Theperformancecommencedalmostatthesamemoment，thecurtainrose，andtheactorsbegantosing。Itistrue，itisnotapassion—
play，andthereisnothingfromtheBibleinit;butthenitisaniceplay。Ibelievethecurtainwillriseagainimmediately，anditistimeformetoreturntomyseat。ButIshouldliketoknowwheremycountrymanwiththehorsesandwineis。Heinsistedonseeingme，sentforme，anddoesnotcomenow。"
"But，Andy，doyounotyetknowthatitwasIwhosentforyou？"
askedHormayr。"Why，itwasonlyastratagemofminetogettheBarboneoutofthetheatreandtakehimawayfromhere。"
"Butwhydoyouwanttotakemeawayfromhere？ItellyouIliketheplayverywell，andhaveneverseenanythinglikeit。Itistrue，Cherubino，theboy，isanarrantliar，butheisajollyfellow，andIdonotwanthimtocometogrief。AndFigaroisaslyfox，andwithalabraveman。IshouldliketomakehisacquaintanceandaskhimifhereallypromisedoldMarielletomarryher;foritwouldbewrongifhedidnotkeephiswordnow，andrefusedtomakeherhiswifebecausehelikestheyoungwomanbetterthanher。IfI
knewwherehelives，Iwouldgotohimthisverynightandtellhimwhatheoughttodo。"
"Oh，youfoolisholdchildofNature！whatyousawonthestagewasnothingbutaplay。Figaroneverexisted;andeventhoughhedid，youwouldnotgotohim，butaccompanymeandtakesupperwithme。"
"Iamsorry。"saidAndreas，gravely，"Icannotdoso;for，inthefirstplace，Imuststayhereandwaitforthecountrymanwhohasarrivedherewiththehorsesandwine。"
"JesusMaria！whatdoyousay？Thecountryman？DidInottellyouthatitisI，Andy？"
"Oh，yes，Ihadalreadyforgottenit。But，second，IcannotgobecauseImustseetheremainderoftheplay。Letme，therefore，returntomyseat，forIpaidforthewholeperformance;IbelieveI
havealreadymissedagreatdeal;buttheywillassuredlynotreturntomeattheofficeapennyforwhatIdidnothear。"[Footnote:
Hofer'sownwords。——SeeHormayr，"AndreasHofer，"vol。i。，p。810。]
"Theywillnot，andshallnoteither，"criedHormayr，angrily。"Youwillnotreturntoyourseat，Andy，butgoandtakesupperwithme。
Foryouknow，mydearfellow，thatyouhavecometoVienna，nottogotothetheatre，buttoaskthedearArchdukeJohn'sassistanceandsuccorforthebelovedTyrol，andinquireoftheemperorifhewillnotaidhisloyalTyroleseintheirattempttobecomehissubjectsoncemore。Andtheemperorandthearchdukewillhelpyou;
theypromisetosendsoldiersandgunsintimetotheTyrol。But，inreturn，youmustdowhatthearchdukeaskedyoutodo;youmustcarefullyconcealyourself，Andy，inordertopreventtheBavariansfromlearningofyourtriptoVienna;otherwisetheywouldarrestyouandyourfriendsafteryourreturntotheTyrol。Henceyoumustnotreturntoyourseat，wheresomanypersonswouldseeyou，andunfortunatelyhaveseenyoualready。"
"Well，ifitmustbeso，letusgo，sir，"sighedAndreas。"Butjustlistenhowtheyaresinging，shouting，andcheeringinside！JesusMaria！Figaro，Ibelieve，willhavetomarryoldMarielleafterall，andgiveupprettylittleSusanne。Ah，myGod！shewilldieheart—
broken，forsheloveshimsodearly。Pray，sir，letmegoinoncemore，thatImayseewhetherornothemustmarryoldMarielle。"
"No，Andy，"saidHormayr，smiling，"youneednotbeuneasy;FigarowillnotmarryoldMarielle，forsheishisownmother。"
"What！"criedAndreas，indismay;"shehismother，andhehaspromisedtomarryher！Thatismostsinfulandinfamous！NogoodChristianshouldlistentosuchthings。Comealong，sir。Idonotwanttohearanotherwordofit。Goodheavens！whatwillAnnaGertrudesaywhenItellherwhatIhaveseenhere，andthattherearehereinViennameninfamousenoughtopromisetomarrytheirmothers？"
"Buttheyneverdosoinreality，Andy，butonlyonthestage。
Otherwisethepolicewouldbeafterthematonce。Fortheemperorisaverypiousandvirtuousgentleman，andhedoesnotpermitanyinfractionsofthesacredlawsofGodandtheChurchinhisdominions。"
"Yes，theemperorisaverypiousandvirtuousgentleman，"exclaimedAndreasHofer，enthusiastically，"andthatisthereasonwhytheTyroleselovehimandwishtobeagainhissubjectsandchildren。
Come，Iwillgohomewithyou。Idonotwanttohearanymoreofthetheatricalnonsense。LetusspeakofouremperorandourdearArchdukeJohn。Godgrantthatwemaysoonbeabletosayheisouremperoragain，andthearchdukeisourJohn，andhisTyroleseareagainhissubjects，becausetheyfoughtwellfortheirliberty，andbecauseGodblessedtheireffortsandcrownedthemwithvictory。
Come，wewillgohome，andto—morrowIshallreturntotheTyrol，tomywifeandchildren，andmountainandvalleyshallknowthatthetimehascome，andthatweshallbecomeAustriansagain。MaytheHolyVirginprotectusandgrantusasafereturn;mayshepreventtheBavariansfromwaylayingusandfrustratingourgreatandnoblepurpose！"[Footnote:ThedelegatesoftheTyroleseleftViennaonthefollowingmorning;theirpresencethere，however，hadbeenreportedtotheBavarianofficers，who，duringtheirhomewardjourney，almostsucceededinarrestingthem。JohnvonGraff，abankerofBotzen，wasapprisedoftheirarrivalinViennabyhiscorrespondentinthatcityandinformedthecommissary—generalatBrixenofwhathehadlearned。Awarrantforthearrestofthethreedelegateswasissued，buttheyescapedintimeintothemountains。——
Hormayr，vol。i。，p。191。]
CHAPTERVIII。
CONSECRATIONOFTHEFLAGS，ANDFAREWELL。
Thediewascast，then。ThewarwithFrancewastobreakoutagain。
Therewastobenomoreprocrastinationandhesitation。Thetimeforactionwasathand。
AlreadytheFrenchambassador，Andreossi，hadleftVienna，andallthemembersofthelegationhadfollowedhim。AlreadyClementCountMetternichhadarrivedatViennabuthehadnotleftParisasCountAndreossihadleftVienna，quietlyandunmolested，butNapoleonhadcausedhimtobeescortedtotheFrenchfrontierbyadetachmentofgensd'armes。
Andto—day，onthe9thofMarch，AustriawastoproclaimtoallGermany，bymeansofapublicfestival，thatshewasresolvedtorenewthestrugglewithFranceandriskoncemorethebloodofherpeopleandtheexistenceofherimperialdynastyinordertodeliverGermanyfromtheusurperwhowasintentoncrushinginhisironhandsthelibertyandindependanceoftheGermannation。
Asolemnceremonywastotakeplaceto—dayontheGlacisofVienna。
TheflagsofthemilitiaweretobeconsecratedbytheArchbishopofVienna，andthewholeimperialfamilywastobepresentatthesolemnity。Hence，allViennapresentedafestiveappearance;allstoreswereclosed，andnoonewasseenfollowinghisevery—dayavocations。TheViennesehadmadeaholiday;noonewouldtoilforhisdailybread;allwishedtorefreshthemselvesonlywithmentalfood，andgreetwiththeirglancesandacclamationsthenoblemenwhoweretotakethefieldforthesalvationofthefatherland。
Thepeopleweresurgingindensemassestowardtheglacis，rushingwithirresistibleimpetuosityintotheemptyditches，andclimbingthetreesontheiredges，orgainingsomeotherstandpointwhencetheycouldsurveythesolemnitywhichwastotakeplaceonthebroadpromenadeoftheglacis。Onthelargerondeloftheglacishadbeenerectedatribunewhosegolden—broideredvelvetcanopywassurmountedbyaverylargeimperialcrown;fourgoldendouble—headedeaglesadornedthefourcornersofthecanopy，andheldintheirbeaksthecolorsofAustriaandHungary。Underthecanopystoodgiltarm—chairs，withcushionsofpurplevelvet。Thiswasthetribunedestinedfortheemperorandhisfamily;alleyeswereriveteduponit，andallheartslongedtogreetthesovereign，andthankhimfortheproudhappinessofthishour。
Furtheronroseotherandnolesssplendidlydecoratedtribunes，theseatsofwhichhadbeensoldatenormousratestothearistocracyandwealthycitizensofViennaforthebenefitofthemilitia;andthousandshadfoundseatsonthetreessurroundingthebroadpromenadeandtherondel，andpaidfortheirairyperchesonlywithsomepainsandbruises。
Sinceearlydawnthispilgrimagetotheglacishadbeengoingon;byteno'clockallseats，roads，tribunes，trees，ditches，andbridges，wereoccupiedbyadensecrowd;and，inordertopreventaccidents，theauthoritieshadalreadyorderedallapproachestotheglacistobeclosed。
Onthebroadpromenade，too，mattersassumedaverylivelyaspect。
Themilitiamarchedupwithbannersunfurledanddrumsbeating。Theydrewupinlineonbothsidesoftheroad，andtheirofficersandstandard—bearersrepairedtothelargerondelwhereanotherhadbeenconstructedinfaceoftheimperialtribune。Theyrangedthemselvesaroundthealtar，onwhosestepspriestsinfullvestmentswerekneeling，andwhichwassurmountedbyagiganticcrucifix，visibletoallspectatorsfarandnear，andwavingtoallitsblessingsandlove—greetings。
Andnowallthechurch—steeplescommencedringingtheirpeals;theirontonguesoftheirbellsproclaimedtotheinhabitantsofVienna，andtothemanythousandsofstrangerswhohadcometowitnessthesolemnity，thattheemperorwithhiscon—artandhischildrenhadlefttheHofburg，andwasapproachingtheglacis，followedbyhissuite。Themilitiaassumedastiffmilitaryattitude，thedrumsrolled，thecannonboomed，thebuglessoundedmerrynotes，andtheemperor，leadinghisconsortbythehand，enteredthetribune。Helookedpale;hisformwasbent，andtremblingasifshakenbyaninwardfever;andevenmoresingularappearedhisdown—hangingunder—lipandthegloomy，moroseexpressionofhislustrelessblueeyes。Butthepeopledidnotseethis;theysawonlythattheiremperorhadarrived——theiremperor，whohadresolvedtodeliverAustriafromtheignominiousforeignyoke;whowoulddiewithhissubjectsratherthanlongerbearthearroganceofFrance;andwhoboldlyandcourageouslystakedallinordertowinall，torestoreatlengthalastingpeacetoAustriaandGermany，andvindicatetheirhonorandindependence。ForthisreasonallheartsgreetedtheEmperorFranciswithloveandexultation，andhewasreceivedwithdeafeningandconstantly—renewedcheers。