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