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