IhavetodeliversomethingtoAnthonyWallner—Aichberger;Imustspeakwithhim。"
Themenwillinglystoodaside。NowbewasclosebehindWallner，and，interruptinghiminhisspeech，hewhisperedtohim:"IcomefromAndreasHofer;hesendsyouhisgreetingsandthispaper。Ihaverunallnighttobringittoyou。"
HehandedafoldedpapertoWallner，whoopeneditwithhandstremblingwithimpatience。
ItwasAndreasHofer's"openorder。"
Wallner'sfacebrightenedup，hecastafieryglancearoundtheplacefilledwithhisfriends，andfixedhisflashingeyesthenonthehatofthebailiffwhohadrebukedtheyoungTyroleseinsooverbearingamanner。Ataboundhewasbyhisside，drovethebailiff'sroundofficialhatwithoneblowofhisfistoverhishead，sothathiswholefacedisappearedinthecrown，andexclaimedinaloud，ringingvoice:
"Villain！doyounotseetheTyrolese？"
AloudoutburstofexultationgreetedWallner'sbolddeed，andallthemencrowdedaroundhim，readytoprotectAnthonyWallner，andlookingatthetax—collectorwithflashing，threateningeyes。
ThelatterseemedasifstunnedbythesuddenchangeinWallner'sdemeanor，andhelookedindismayattheaudaciousinnkeeperwhowasstandingcloseinfrontofhimandstaringathimwithalaughingface。
"Whatdoesthismean？"heaskedatlength，inatremulousvoice。
"ItmeansthatwewanttobeTyroleseagain，"shoutedAnthonyWallner，exultingly。"ItmeansthatwewillnolongersubmittobrutaltreatmentatthehandsofyourBavarianbailiffs，andthatwewilltreatyounowasyouBoafokshavetreatedusforfiveyearspast。"[Footnote:Boafok，thenicknamewhichtheTyrolesegavetotheBavariansatthattime。Itsignifies"Bavarianpigs。"]
"ForGod'ssake，howhavewetreatedyou，then？"askedthetax—
collector，drawingbackfromthethreateningfaceofAnthonyWallnertowardhisbailiffs。
"Listentome，Tyrolese，"shoutedAnthonyWallner，scornfully，"heasksmehowtheBavarianshavetreatedus！ShallItellittohimoncemore！"
"Yes，yes，Tony，doso，"repliedtheTyroleseonallsides。
"Tellittohim，andifherefusestolisten，wewilltiehimhandandfoot，andcompelhimtohearwhatyousay。"
"Well，Mr。Tax—collector，"saidWallner，withmockpoliteness，"I
willtellyou，then，howyouBavarianshavetreatedusforfouryearspast，andonlywhenyouknowallourgrievanceswillwesettleouraccounts。Listen，then，towhatyouhavedonetous，andwhatwecomplainof。Youhavebehavedtowardusasperjuredliarsandscoundrels，andIwillproveittoyou。Inthefirstplace，then，in1805，when，toourintensegriefandregret，ouremperorwasobligedtocedetheTyroltoBavaria，theKingofBavaria，inaletterwhichhewrotetous，solemnlyguaranteedourconstitutionandourancientprivilegesandliberties。Thatiswhatyourkingpromisedin1805。
Tobesure，wedidnotputmuchconfidenceinwhathesaid，forwewellknewthatwhenthebigcatwantstodevourthelittlemouse，ittreatsthevictimatfirstwithgreatkindnessandthrowsasmallbitofbacontoit;butnosoonerdoesthemousetakeitthanthecatpouncesuponitsunsuspectingvictimanddevoursit。Andsuchwasourfatetoo;thecatBavariawantedtoswallowthelittlemouseTyrol;notevenournamewastobelefttous，andweweretobecalledSouthernBavariansinsteadofTyrolese。Besides，ourancientCastleofTyrol，thesacredsymbolofourcountry，wasdismantledanddestroyed。YouthoughtprobablywewouldforgetthepastandthehistoryoftheTyrol，andallthatweare，ifwenolongersawtheCastleofTyrol，wherethedearMargaretMaultaschsolemnlyguaranteedtoherTyrolesetheirliberties，greatprivileges，andindependence，foralltimetocome。Butallwaswritteninourhearts，andyourinfamousconductengraveditonlythemorelastinglythereon。Youtookfromusnotonlyourname，butalsoourconstitution，whichallTyroleseloveastheirmostprecioustreasure。Therepresentativeestatesweresuppressed，andtheprovincialfundsseized。Nolessthaneightnewandoppressivetaxeswereimposed，andleviedwiththeutmostrigor;theverynameofthecountry，asIsaidbefore，wasabolished;and，afterthemodelofrevolutionaryFrance，theTyrolwasdividedintothedepartmentsoftheInn，theAdige，andtheEisach;thepassionplays，whichformedsolargeapartoftheamusementsofourpeople，wereprohibited;
allpilgrimagestochapelsorplacesofextraordinarysanctitywereforbidden。Theconventsandmonasterieswereconfiscated，andtheirestatessold;thechurchplateandholyvesselsweremelteddownanddisposedof;theroyalpropertywasallbroughtintothemarket。Newimpostsweredailyexactedwithoutanyconsultationwiththeestatesofourpeople;speciebecamescarcefromthequantityofitwhichwasdrawnofftotheroyaltreasury;theAustriannoteswerereducedtohalftheirvalue，andthefeelingsofourpeopleirritatedalmosttomadnessbythecompulsorylevyofouryoungmentoserveintheranksofyourarmy。Inthismanneryoutriedtocrushustoearth。
ButItellyou，weshallriseagain，thewholeTyrolwillriseandnolongerallowitselftobetrampledunderfoot。YousaythekingdoesnotwantanyTyroleseassubjects。Heshallnothaveany，fortheTyrolesewanttobecomeagainsubjectsoftheirdearEmperorFrancisofAustria。MenoftheTyrol，fromPusterthal，Teffereck，andVirgenthal，youwishtobecomeagainsubjectsoftheEmperorFrancis，doyounot？"
"Wedo，wedo！"shoutedthemen，utteringdeafeningcheers。"OurdearFrancisistobecomeagainourlordandemperor！LonglivetheEmperorFrancis！"
"Silence！"criedthetax—collector，palewithrageanddismay;
"silence，orIshallsendforthesoldiersandhaveeveryoneofyouarrested，and——"
"Besilentyourself！"saidAnthonyWallner，seizinghimviolentlybythearm。"Sir，youareourprisoner，andsoarethetwobailiffsyonder。Seizethem，myfriends，andiftheyshoutorresist，shootthemdown。Andifyouutteracryoraword，Mr。Tax—collector，sohelpmeGodifIdonotkillyouforaBoafok，asyouare！Keepquiet，therefore，beasensibleman，anddeliveryourfundstous。
Come，men，wewillaccompanythisgentlemantothetax—collector'soffice;andnowletussingagoodTyrolesesong:"
"D'Schoergenandd'Schreiberandd'Richterallsammt，Sind'nTeufelauskomma，druck'nueberallauf'sLand，UndschindenBauern，esiskamzumsog'n，EswaerjakoanWunder，wirthaeten'sallsammterschlog'n。"
[Footnote:SongoftheTyrolesein1809。——SeeMayr，"JosephSpechbacher，"p。22。
"Thepushing——thewriters，andmagistratesall，Possessedbythedevil，ourcountryenthrall，Andgrindthepoorpeasants;alas，'tisashame！
Nowonderifwetooshareruinthesame。"]
HeconcludedwithalongandjoyousJodler，andshoutedtriumphantly:"Dearbrethren，AndreasHofersendsyouhisgreetings，andinformsyouthattheAustrianshaveinvadedtheTyrol。Hurrah，'tistime！"
"Yes，'tistime，"murmuredAnnaMaria，AnthonyWallner'swife，toherself;"'tistimeformetogiveLizziethesignal，fortheinsurrectionhasbrokenout。"Shehastenedintothehouse，tookherhusband'soldriflefromthechamber，ranwithitoutoftheback—
doorofthehouse，andfiredthesignalforherdaughter。
"There，"shesaid，returningquietlyintothehouse，"shewillhaveheardthereport，andthereistimeyettosavehim。IwilldonowwhatTonyaskedmetodo。Whenhesingsthesong，Ishalltakethepaper—ballsfromthetable—drawerintheback—room，giveapackagetoeachofthetwoboysandtwoservant—girls，andtellthemtogowithitintothemountainsandcirculatethepaper—ballseverywhere，thattheinhabitantsofthewholePusterthal，fromoneendtotheother，fromtheGross—GlocknertotheVenedigerandKrimlerTauern，maylearnthisverydaythatitistime，andthattheBoafoksaretobeexpelledfromthecountry。Halloo，boys，comehere！Halloo，girls，yourmistresswantstospeaktoyou！"
CHAPTERXI。
THEDECLARATIONOFLOVE。
ElizaWallner，afterleavinghermother，hadspedwiththeutmostrapiditythroughtheback—door，acrosstheyard，throughthegarden，outofthesmallgateleadingtothemeadow，downthefoot—path，upthemountain—road，jumpingfromstonetostone，courageousandintrepidasatruedaughteroftheTyrol。Nowshestoodattheportalofthecastle，infrontofwhichsomeoftheBavariansoldierswerelyinginidlereposeonabench，whileothersintheside—wingofthecastleallottedtothemwerelookingoutofthewindows，anddreamilyhummingaBavariansong，frequentlyinterruptedbyloudyawns。
Elizawalkedpastthemwithaslightgreetingandenteredthehouse。
Theoldfootmansittinginthehallreceivedherkindly，andtoldher，inreplytoherinquiry，thatthecastellan，oldBaronvonHohenberg，hadsetoutearlyinthemorningforSalzburgtoattendcourt，butthathisdaughterandhercousin，CaptainUlrichvonHohenberg，werelunchinginthesmalldining—roomup—stairs。
ThiswasalltheinformationElizaneeded;shenoddedtothefootman，andascendedthestaircasequickly。Theoldfootmandidnotfollowher;heknewthatitwasunnecessaryforhimtoannouncebeautifulLizzietohismistress，butthatshealwayswaswelcometoher。Hethereforesatdownagainquietly，andtookupthewood—workwithwhichhehadbeenoccupiedbefore。
Elizareachedthedining—roomandthrewopenthedoorwithahastyhand;ablissfulsmilethenoverspreadherflushedface，foronthebalconyyonder，behindtheopenglassdoor，shebeheldthetallslenderformofCaptainUlrichvonHohenberg。Sheheardhimchattingandlaughinggayly;andthroughthedoorshealsosawherfriendElzavonHohenberg，whowaslisteningtohercousin'swordsinsmilingrepose。Scarcelytouchingthefloorwithherfeet，shehastenedthroughtheroom。
"Iassureyou，cousin，"saidElzaatthismoment，inherclear，distinctvoice，"IbelieveattimesthatsheistheresuscitatedMaidofOrleans，andthatshewillperformheroicdeedsoneday。Oh，IknowmydearbeautifulElizaWallner，and——"
"Donnotspeakofme，forIamlisteningtoyou，"exclaimedEliza，enteringthebalcony。
"Ah，myLizzie，"exclaimedElza，risingandtenderlyembracingherfriend。"Haveyoucomeatlength，mymerry，beautifullark？"
"Yes，Ihave，andIamgladthatIamhere，"saidElizaandherlargehazeleyesturnedforamomentsmilinglytotheyoungofficer，who，likehiscousin，hadrisenonbeholdingElizaWallner。Hedidnotutterawordofsalutation;nevertheless，Elizablushedonmeetinghisglance，andavertedhereyestimidlyfromhim，turningthemtowardthedistantsummitsoftheglacierswhichwereglitteringaroundthehorizonyonderinwonderfulmajesty。
"Youaregladthatyouarehere，mysweetchild？Whydidyounotcomeatanearlierhour？"askedElza。"Youarealwaysexpected。Mydearsilentcousin，sheisalwaysexpected，isshenot？"
"Mostassuredlysheis，"saidtheyoungcaptain，withasmile;"andsheisaswelcomeasthefirstroseofMay。"
"Howimpudentyouare！"exclaimedMissElza，laughing;"youbidmyLizziewelcomeasthefirstroseofMay，andyetIwasherebeforeher！"
"Hemeansonlythewildhedge—rose，Elza，"saidEliza，smilingarchly，"foryouknowverywellthatthebeautifulandaristocraticrosesdonotyetbloominMay。"
"Well，tellme，cousin，didyoureallyintendtocomparemydarlingherewithawildhedge—rose？"askedElza。
"Donotanswer，sir，"exclaimedEliza，eagerly。"Youhaveblunderedintryingtoflatterme，andthatisgood。Youwillseeatlengththatfinephrasesamounttonothing，andthattheyarecolorsthatfadeinthesunshine。Youhadbetterspeakfranklyandhonestlytome，forIhaveoftentoldyouIamastupiddaughteroftheTyrol，anddonotknowwhattoreplytosuchfinecityphrases。"
"Butforallthatyouarenotstupid，mybeautifulEliza，"saidUlrichvonHohenberg。"Intruth，Iwhocompareyouwitharoseamnotaliar，buthewouldbewhoshouldchargeyouwithstupidity。"
"ButifIshould，nevertheless，assertthatIamstupid，whomwoulditconcern？"askedEliza，defiantly。
"Ah，theretheyarequarrellingagain，"exclaimedElza，laughing。
"Cometome，sweetLizzie;sitdownbymysideonthisbenchandgivemeyourhand。Iamsogladthatyouarehere，foritalwaysseemstomeasthoughIwerealonelyorphanwhenmydearestLizzie，withherprettyfaceandhermerrylaughter，isabsentfromme。Buthere，Lizzie，youmustlookuponmewithdueaweto—day，forto—dayIamnotonlyyourfriendandsister，butIamthecastellan！Myfatherwillbeabsentfourdays，andIrepresenthimhere。Hedelegatedhiswholepowertome，andintrustedmewithallthekeys。
Treatme，therefore，withgreatrespect，Lizzie。"
"ThatiswhatIalwaysdo，Elza，"saidLizzie，tenderly，pressingtheslenderwhitehandofherfriendtoherlips。"Youarealwaysmybetterself，andIobeyyoubecauseIloveyou，andIloveyoubecauseIobeyyousogladly！"
"Well，then，Icommandyou，Lizzie，tobeourguestalldayandstaywithusuntilnightfall。Oh，noobjections，Lizzie;ifyouloveme，youmustobey！"
"AndIobeyyouwillingly，Elza;onlywhenmyfathersendsforme，I
mustgo，foryouknowwemustnotviolatethefourthcommandment;
ourworthypriestwouldneverforgiveus。"
"Whenyourfathersendsforyou，Eliza，Ishallmyselfgodowntohimandbeghimtoleaveyouhere。Well，then，youbelongtousforthewholeday，andwewillconsidernowhowweshallspendthisday。
Cousin，donotstandthereinsilenceallthetime，staringattheglaciers，butlookatusandproposequicklysomeexcursionforustomaketo—day。"
"WhatcouldIpropose？"askedtheyoungofficer，shrugginghisshoulders。
"Isubmitrathersilentlyandobedientlytoyourproposals，forMissElizawouldcertainlyrejectallmyproposalsmerelybecauseImakethem。"
Elizaburstintomerrylaughter。"Elza，dearestElza，"sheexclaimed，"hecallsme'MissEliza！'Nosir，letmetellyou，apoorTyrolesegirllikemeisno'miss，'noaristocraticlady;
peoplecallmeLizzie，onlyLizzie;donotforgetthat！"
"Peopleherecallher'beautifulLizzie，'"saidtheofficerinalowvoice，castinganadmiringglanceontheyounggirl。
"Thatdoesnotconcernyou，sir，"shereplied，blushinglikeacrimsonrose;"youdonotbelongtothepeoplehere，andyoumustnotcallmeanythingbutLizzie，doyouhear？Ithinkthenotionswhichcityfolksentertainaboutbeautyaredifferentfromthoseofpeasantslikeus。WeconsiderthedaisyandtheAlpinerosebeautiful;thoughtheyarebutsmallflowers，yettheysuitus。
However，thecityfolkslaughatourtaste，andsteprecklesslyonourflowers。Theyconsideronlytheproudwhiteliliesandthelargegorgeousrosesbeautifulflowers。Idonotbelongtothem，Iamonlyadaisy;butmyElzalikesthisdaisyandfastensmetoherbosom，andIresttheresosoftandsweetly。"
SheencircledElza'sneckwithherarms，leanedherheadagainstherbreast，andlookedtenderlyuptoherwithherhazelgazelleeyes。
Elzabentoverherandkissedhereyesandwhiteforehead。UlrichvonHohenberglookedatthembothwithatender，ardentglance;thenheavertedhisheadtoconcealthecrimsonglowsuffusinghischeeks。
Atthismomentthedooropened，andthecastellan'soverseerenteredwithanairofhurryandself—importance。
"MissElza，"hesaid，"thewood—cuttershavebroughtwoodandarewaitingforareceipt。Besides，theheaddairy—womanwishestoseeyouaboutthebutterwhichsheistosendtotown;andthecattle—
dealerhasarrived，and——"
"Iamcoming，Iamcoming，"exclaimedtheyounglady，laughing。"Doyousee，Lizzie，whatanimportantpersonIam？Butformethewholemachinewouldstandstillandsinkinruins。Fortunately，Iamequaltotheoccasion;andsetthewheelsinmotion，andthemachinecangoon。Youmaystayhereandconsiderhowwearetoamuseourselvesto—day。InthemeantimeIshallregulateourdomesticaffairsalittle，andwhenIcomeback，youwillinformmewhatpleasureyouhavedevisedforusto—day。"
"No，Elza，letmegowithyou，"beggedEliza，almostanxiously，"I
shallassistyou——"
"Youcannothelpmeoutside，Lizzie，"saidElza，laughing;"buthereyoucantakemyplaceandbemycousinUlrich'scompanion。Bemerry，mydearchildren，untilIcomeback！"
Shenoddedpleasantlytothem，tookthelargebunchofkeysfromthetable，andswingingitnoisilyinherhand，skippedthroughtheroomandoutofthedoor。
Lizziehadfollowedherafewsteps;then，asifarrestedbyasuddenthought，shepausedandreturnedslowlytothebalcony。Shecastaquickglanceontheofficer，whowasleaningagainstthewallononesideofthebalcony，and，withhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，didnotaverthiseyesfromher。
Elizagaveastartandwithdrewtotheothersideofthebalcony。
Thereshesatdownonthebenchlikeatimidlittlebird，andallowedhereyestowanderdreamilyandthoughtfullyoverthelandscape。And，indeed，theviewwhichtheyenjoyedfromthe，balconywaswondrouslybeautiful。Ononesideextendedthesplendidvalley，withitsmeadowscladinthefreshestverdureofspring，itsfoamingwhitemountain—torrents，itshousesandhuts，whichdisappearedgraduallyinthevioletmistsborderingthehorizon。Onbothsidesofthevalleyrosethegreenwoodedheights，interspersedhereandtherewithsmallverdantpasturesandclearings，onwhichhandsomeredcowsweregrazingorlyinginmajesticrepose。Behindtheclearingsblackpinesandfirsdottedtheslopes，which，however，intheirmoreelevatedportionsbecamemoreandmorebare;
wherethetreesceased，appearedhereandthereagaingreenpastures，andonthem，grayandsmall，likebirds'nests，thehutsofthemountaincow—keepers，who，themostadvancedsentinels，asitwere，wereguardingthefrontierswherethewarbetweennatureandmancommences，thefrontiersofthesnowyregionandtheworldofglaciers。Behindthecow—keepers'hutsflashedalreadymassesofsnowfromseveralmountain—gorges;fartherabove，thesnowhadspreaditswhitesilverveilsfarandwideoverallthemountain—
peaks，sothattheyglitteredandsparkledwithindescribablebeautyinthebrightmorningsun，andloomedlikeswans'necksuptotheazuresky。
Below，intheforegroundofthevalley，atthefootofCastleWeissenstein，laythevillageofWindisch—Matrey，withitsscatteringgroupsofhandsomehouses，fromwhosemidstarosethechurch，withitstall，pointedsteeple。Fromthestandpointwhichsheoccupied，Elizawasabletodistinctlysurveythemarket—placeanditscrowdsofmen，which，inthedistance，resembledbusyblackant—hills。Shegazeduponthemfixedly，andthesmallspecksseemedtoherpractisedeyelikehumanforms;shethoughtshecoulddistinguishseveralofthem，and，amongothers，thetallandpowerfulformofherfather;shethought——
"Eliza，"saidallatoncealowvoicebyherside——"Eliza，youdonotwanttoseeme，then？Youarestillangrywithme？"
Shegaveastart，andcrimsoned，when，onlookingup，shesawyoungUlrichvonHohenbergstandingcloseinfrontofher，andgazingatherwithardentandbeseechingeyes。
"No，sir，"shesaid，"Ireallydidnotseeyou。"
"Thatistosay，Eliza，youarestillangrywithme？"heasked，eagerly。"Youaresilent，youavertyourhead。MyGod！Eliza，whatdidIdo，then，toincuryouranger？"
"Notmuch，perhaps，forcityfolks，butbyfartoomuchforapoorpeasant—girl，"shesaid，witheyesflashingproudly。"Youtoldmeyoulovedme，youtriedforciblytoembraceandkissme，andbeggedmetogoupearlyinthemorningtotheyellowgrotto，whereyouwouldwaitforme。Youtoldmefurthernottosayawordaboutittoanybody;itshouldremainasecretbetweenyouandme，andIshouldnotevenmentionittothepriestattheconfessional。Thatwasnothonestofyou，sir;nay，itwasbadofyoutotryandpersuademetosuchmeanthings。Itshowedmethatyoucannotbeagoodman，andthatyourfriendshipformeispromptedbyevilintentions。"
"Idonotfeelanyfriendshipforyou，nonewhatever，"saidtheyoungmanardently，seatinghimselfbyherside，seizingherhandinspiteofherresistance，andpressingittohisheart。"Idonotwanttobeyourfriend，mysweet，beautiful，wildAlpinerose;no，notyourfriend，butyourlover。AndIcommencebylovingyouwithintenseardor，bydesiringandlongingfornothing，andthinkingofnothingbutyoualone。Oh，Eliza，believeme，Iloveyouintensely——
byfarmorethanElza，morethanyourparents，morethanallyourfriendstogether。"
"More，perhaps，butnotbetter，"shesaid，shakingherhead，andgentlywithdrawingherhandfromhim。
"No，letmekeepyourhand！"heexclaimedhastily，seizingitagain;
"letmekeepit，Eliza，forItellyouIloveyoubettertoothanalltheothers;Iloveyouwithmysoul，withmyheart，withmyblood，withmylife！Oh，believeme，sweet，lovelychild;believemeandgivemeyourheart;followme，andbemine——mineforevermore！I
willgiveyouahappy，brilliant，andbeautifulexistence;Iwilllayatyourfeetallthepleasures，enjoyments，andcharmsofthisworld——"
"Sir，"interruptedEliza，hastily，jumpingup，andfixinghereyesuponhimwithastrange，ardentexpression，"IhopeIunderstandyouright，andmyearsdonotdeceiveme？Youoffermeyourhand？Youwanttomarrymeandmakemeyourwife？"
Theyoungmangaveaslightstartanddroppedhiseyes。Elizasawit，andasarcasticsmileplayedroundherlips。"Whydoyounotspeak？"shesaid。"Replytome。DidIunderstandyou？Didyoumakeseriousproposalsofmarriagetome？Willyougodowntomyfatherthisverydayandsaytohim:'Listen，sir。I，thearistocraticgentleman，I，CaptainUlrichvonHohenberg，wanttomarryyourdaughterLizzie。Ithinkthiscountrygirl，withhermanners，herlanguageandbearing，iswellfittedtoassociatewithmyaristocraticanddistinguishedfamily，andmyparentsinMunichwouldbeoverjoyedifIshouldbringtothemthisTyrolesegirlastheirdaughter—in—law，andabrowncowandawhitegoatasherdower。'Tellme，sir，willyougodowntomydearfather，theinnkeeperofWindisch—Matrey，andsaythattohim？"
"But，Eliza，"sighedtheyoungman，mournfully，"ifyoulovedmeonlyalittle，youwouldnotimmediatelythinkofmarriage，butwouldforgeteverythingelse，allowyourwholepasttosinkintooblivionbehindyou，andthinkofnothingbutthefactthatIloveyouintensely，andthatyoureturnmylove。"
"ButIdonotadmitatallthatIloveyou，"saidEliza，proudly;
"onthecontrary，youalonesayandswearthatyouloveme，andI
replythatIdonotbelieveyou。"
"Andwhydoyounotbelieveme，cruel，beautifulgirl？"
"Becauseyouuttersomanyfinephraseswhichamounttonothingatall。Youtellmethatyouareveryfondofme，butIthinkifyouloveanybodywithallyourheart，youmustbeanxioustopreservehimfrommisfortune，anddoallyoucantomakehimhappy，eventhoughitwereattheexpenseofyourownhappiness。Butyou，sir，donotintendtomakemehappy;onthecontrary，youarebentonplungingmeintomiseryanddisgrace，andthatisthereasonwhyI
contendthatyoudonotloveme。"
"Thenyouhaveaheartofstone，"criedUlrichvonHohenberg，despairingly;"youwillnotseewhatIamsuffering，norhowintenselyIloveyou。"
"Sir，"saidshe，smiling，"ifIcannotcomprehendit，prayexplaintomehowyouloveme。"
"Iloveyouasthemostbeautiful，lovely，andcharmingcreatureI
haveeverknownandadmired。Iloveyouasagirlwhoseinnocence，naturalness，andgoodness，fillmyheartwithecstasyandprofoundemotion;bywhosesideIshouldliketospendmywholelife，andunitedwithwhomIshouldwishtoseekforalonelyislandofhappinesstodreamthere——remotefromtheworld，itsprejudicesandfollies——asweet，blissfullove—life，fromwhichonlydeathwouldarouseus。"
"Sir，ifyoureallylovemeinthismanner，youneednotrunawaywithmetoseekelsewhereinforeignlandsthe'lonelyislandofhappiness，'asyoucallit，forinthatcaseyouwouldhaveitroundyouwhereverwemightbe，and，aboveallthings，hereinourmountains。But，look，itisjustasIsaid;youaredesiroustofinda'lonelyislandofhappiness'——thatistosay，nobodyistofindoutthatthearistocraticgentlemanlovesthepoorTyrolesegirl，andthatisthereasonwhyyouwantustohideinthemountainsorelsewhere，andseeifwecanbehappywithouttheblessingofthepriest，ourdearparents，andallothergoodmen。"
"Oh，Eliza，havemercyonme。IsweartoyouthatIloveyouintensely;thatIwouldbethehappiestofmenifIcouldmarryyoupubliclyandmakeyoumywifeinthefaceofthewholeworld，that——
"
Elizainterruptedhimbysingingwithasmilingair，andinamerry，ringingvoice:
"UndaBisserleLieb'undaBisserleTreu'
UndaBisserleFalschheitistall'zeitdabei！"
[Footnote:
"Andabitoflove，andabitoftruth，Andabitoffalsehood，makelife，forsooth！"]
"No，nofalsehood，"criedUlrich，"onlytheirksome，terriblenecessity，the——"
Theloudcrashofarifle，findinganoft—repeatedechointhemountains，interruptedhim。Elizautteredacryofdismayandjumpedup。
"JesusMaria！"shemurmuredinalowvoice，"itisthesignal。Ithascommenced！"
"What！Whathascommenced？"askedtheyoungman，insurprise。
Elizalookedathimwithconfusedandanxiouseyes。"Nothing，oh，nothingatall，"shesaid，inatremulousvoice。"Only——Imean"——shepausedandlookedwithfixedattentiondownonthelargeplace。Shedistinctlysawthegroupsmovingrapidlytoandfro，andthenpouringwithfurioushastethroughthestreets。
"Theyarecominguphere，"shemurmured;andhereyesturnedtowardthewingofthecastleonthesideofthebalcony，wheretheBavariansoldiershadtheirquarters。Thelatter，however，apparentlydidnotsuspecttheimminentdanger。Theyweresittingatthewindowsandsmokingorcleaningtheirmusketsanduniforms。
Elizacouldhearthemchattingandlaughinginperfecttranquillity。
"Well，Eliza，beautiful，cruelgirl，"askedUlrichvonHohenberg，"willyoutellmewhathassuddenlyexcitedyousostrangely？"
"Nothing，sir，oh，nothing，"shesaid;butthensheleanedfarovertherailingofthebalconyandstareddown;shebeheldfouryoungTyrolesesharpshootersrunningupthecastle—hillatafuriousrate，andthehostoftheircomradesfollowingthem。Thefourwholedthewaynowenteredthecourt—yard，andreachedwithwildboundsthelargedoorformingtheentranceofthewingofthebuildingoccupiedbythesoldiers。Withthunderingnoisetheyshutit，turnedthelargekeywhichwasinthelock，anddrewitimmediatelyout。
Twosharpshootersnowranupfromtheoppositeside。
"Wehavelockedtheback—gate，"theyshoutedexultingly。
"Thatdoorislockedtoo，"repliedtheothers，jubilantly。"Theyareallprisonersinthecastle！"
"Sir，"criedEliza，drawingUlrichvonHohenbergbackfromthebalcony，"youmaycomewithmeintothedining—room;Imusttellyousomething。"
"No，"hesaid，"Ishallstayhereandseewhatisthematter。"
"Whatdoesthismean？MorethanfiftyTyroleseareenteringthecourt—yard;andwhydidthosemadyoungfellowslockthedooruponmysoldiers？"
"Isupposeitissomemadfreakoftheirs，thatisall，"saidEliza，trembling。"Come，dearsir，leavethebalconyandfollowmeintotheroom。Iwishtotellyousomething——quitesecretly，sir，——oh，come！
IdonotwantheavenandGodandthesnow—cladmountainsyondertohearawordofit。"
"Eliza，"heexclaimed，transported，"howyousmile，howyoublush！
Oh，myGod，whatdoyouwishtosaytome？"
Sheencircledhisarmwithherhandsanddrewhimintotheroom。