第16章
"Now，menoftheTyrol，"shoutedHormayr，"listentothemessagewhichtheArchdukeJohnsendstoyou。"
AndamidthesolemnsilenceoftheTyrolese，andthepealsoftheMeranchurch——bellspenetratinguptothem，HormayrreadtothemadocumentdrawnupbytheArchdukeJohn，byvirtueofwhichheresumedpossessionoftheTyrolinthenameoftheemperor，declaredittobeincorporatedwiththeimperialstates，andsolemnlyvowedthat，asarewardofitsloyalty，itshouldremainunitedwithAustriaforallfuturetime。Atthesametime，theancientconstitutionandtheformerprivilegeswererestoredtotheTyrolese，andBaronvonHormayrwasappointedgovernoroftheTyrol。
CHAPTERXX。
ELIZAWALLNER"SRETURN。
AllWindisch—Matreywasagaininjoyfulcommotionto—day;foratwofoldfestivalwastobecelebrated:thereturnofthemenofWindisch—Matrey，whohadsobravelyfoughtforthecountryandsoaidedindeliveringit;andthen，ashadbeenresolvedprevioustotheirdeparture，ElizaWallner"sweddingwastocomeoffto—day。
Shehadredeemedherpledge，shehadprovedthatshewasatrueandbravedaughteroftheTyrol，andAnthonyWallner，herfather，wasnolongerangrywithher;hewishedtorewardherforhercourageandintrepidity，andmakeherhappy。Therefore，hehadsentamessengersecretlyandwithoutherknowledgetoWindisch—Matrey，andhadorderedhiswifetodecoratethehousefestively，andrequestthecuratetorepairtothechurchandperformthemarriagerites。ThereturningTyroleseweretomarchtothechurch，and，afterthankingGodforthedeliveranceoftheTyrol，thecuratewastomarryElizaWallnerandherloverinpresenceofthewholecongregation。
Sinceearlydawn，therefore，allthemarriedwomenandgirlsofWindisch—Matrey，dressedintheirhandsomeholidayattire，hadbeeninthestreet，andhaddecoratedtheroutewhichthereturningmenweretotake，andadornedthechurchwithwreathsandgarlandsofflowers。
Wallner"swifealonehadremainedathome，forshehadtoattendtothepreparationsforthewedding—banquet，withwhichsheandherservant—girlshadbeenoccupiedduringthewholeofthepreviousday。Therewereagreatmanythingstobedoneyet;thetablehadtobesetinthelargebar—roomforthewedding—guests;theroastshadtobelookedafterinthekitchen;andthewholehousehadtobedecorated，andfestoonsofflowerstobesuspendedrounditsentrance。
"Schroepfelmightrendermegoodservicenow，"saidWallner"swife，eagerly。"Ihavesomanythingstoattendto，andhedoesnotmovehishands，butsitslikealogatthedoorofdearUlrichvonHohenberg，andcaresfornothingelse。Oh，Schroepfel，Schroepfel，comehere！Iwanttoseeyou！"
Atthestaircaseleadingdownintothehallappearedthesunburnt，furrowedfaceofoldSchroepfel。
"Ifyouwanttoseeme，youmustcomeuphere，"heshouted。"Ihavebeentoldtostandguardhere，andIwillnotdesertmypost，evenforthesakeofMrs。Wallner，untilIamrelieved。"
"Heisaqueerfellow，"saidMrs。Wallner，laughing，"butImustdowhathesays。"
Shehastenedup—stairs。Atthedooroftheroomwheretheprisonerwasconfinedstoodtheservant，pressinghisfacetothebrownpanelsofthedoor。
"Now，Schroepfel，"askedMrs。Wallner，laughing，"canyouseethroughtheboards？Foryouputyoureyestothedoorasthoughitwereawindow。"
"Itisawindow，"saidSchroepfel，inalowvoice，limpingupafewstepstohismistress。"Ihaveboredfoursmallholesinthedoor，andthroughthemIamabletoseethewholeroomandallthattheprisonerisdoing。Look，Mrs。Wallner！theholebelowthereismywindowwhenheisinbedandasleep;Icanseehisfacethroughit。
Theholealittleaboveitenablesmetowatchhimwhileheisseatedatthetable，andwritingorreading;andthroughtheholeuphereIcanseehisfacewhenheispacingtheroom。"
"Youareastrangefellow，"saidMrs。Wallner，shakingherhead。
"Youwatchthepoorsickprisonerasthoughhewereaneagle，alwaysreadytoflyfromthenest。"
"Heisaboutwhatyousay，"saidSchroepfel，thoughtfully。"Heisnolongersick，andhiswingshavegrownagreatdealduringtheweeksincehewashere，Ibelievehewouldliketoflyfromhere。"
"Oh，no，"saidMrs。Wallner，withashrug。"HelovesmyLizzie，andIdonotbelievethathewholovesthatgirlwillwishtoflyawaybeforesheflieswithhim。"
"Idonotknowaboutthat;Ihavemyownnotionsaboutit，"saidSchroepfel。"HeisaBavarianforallthat，andtheBavariansareallfaithlessanddishonest。Isworetowatchhimandnotlosesightofhim，andImustkeepmyoath;hence，IshallnotleavethedooruntilIamrelieved。"
"Thenyouwillnotcomedown—stairsandhelpmefixthewreathsandgarlands，setthetable，andcleantheknives？"
"No，dearMrs。Wallner，Iamnotallowedtodoso，muchasIwouldliketoassistyou。Asentinelmustneverleavehispost，orhewillbecalledadeserter，andMr。Wallneralwaystoldmethatthatwasagreatdisgraceforanhonestfellow。Now，asIamanhonestfellow，and，owingtomylameleg，cannotservethecountryinanyotherwaythanwatchingthisprisoner，Ishallstayhereasasentinelandtakegoodcarenottodesert。"
"Well，doso，then，"exclaimedMrs。Wallner，halfangrily，halflaughingly。"Butyoumaygointothegentlemanandtellhimtobeofgoodcheer，forElizawillcomebackto—day，andtheweddingwilltakeplaceimmediatelyafterherreturn，whenhewillbefree。Tellhimtopreparefortheceremony;for，whenthebellscommenceringingthereturningdefendersofthecountrywillhavereachedthevillage，andwearetogowithhimtothechurch，wherethecuratewillawaitus。"
"Ofcourse，Ishalltellhimallthis，"growledSchroepfel，andMrs。
Wallnerhasteneddown—stairsagain。
"Yes，Ishalltellhim，"murmuredSchroepfeltohimself，"butI
wonderifitwillgladdenhisheart？Duringthefirstfewdays，whenhehadthewound—fever，hetalkedstrangethingsinhisdelirium，andderidedandscornedourbeautifulLizzie，who，hesaid，wasbentuponbecominganaristocraticlady。Sinceheiswellagain，heabuseshernolonger，buthelooksverysombre，andduringthewholeweekhehasnotonceinquiredafterhisbetrothed。GodblasttheaccursedBoafokifheshouldlovethegirlnolonger，andifhedidnothonestlyintendtomakeherhiswife！Iwillgointohimandseehowhereceivesthenews。"
UlrichvonHohenbergwasseatedinhisarmchair，andgazingmusinglyoutofthewindow。Hedidnotturnwhentheoldservantenteredhisroom;heseemednottohavenoticedhisarrival，butcontinuedstaringattheskyevenwhenSchroepfelstoodclosetohim。Thefaceoftheyoungmanwasstillpaleandwan，andunderhiseyes，formerlysoclearandcheerful，weretobeseenthosebluishcirclesindicativeofinternalsufferingsofthebodyorthesoul。However，sincethewound—feverhadlefthim，hehadneverutteredacomplaint，andthewound，whichwasnotverysevere，hadalreadyclosedandwashealingrapidly。Hence，itwasdoubtlessgriefthatimpartedsogloomyandsicklyanappearancetoCaptainUlrichvonHohenberg，anditwasthisverysuspicionthatrenderedSchroepfeldistrustful，andcausedhimtowatchhisprisonernightanddaywithsombrevigilance。
Hestoodafewminutespatiently，andwaitedforthecaptaintoaddresshim;butHohenbergcontinuingtotakenonoticeofhim，heresolutelylaidhishandonhisshoulder。
"Sir，awake！"heexclaimedsullenly。
Thecaptaingaveaslightstart，andpushedtheservant"shandwithanangrygesturefromhisshoulder。
"Iamawake，"hesaid;"itisthereforequiteunnecessaryforyoutolayhandsonme。Whatisit？Whatdoyouwantofme？"
"Iwanttotellyouonlythatourmenwillreturnthismorning，andthatthiswillbeagreatholidayinWindisch—Matrey。Forourmenarevictorious，andthecountryisdeliveredfromtheenemy。Mr。
WallnerhaswrittentousthatthebraveTyrolesedeliveredthewholecountryinthreedays，thattheyhavetakenprisonerseightthousandinfantryandonethousandcavalry，andcapturedeightguns，twostandsofcolors，andtwoFrencheagles。Besides，severalthousandFrenchandBavarianshaveperishedinthegorgesandonthebattle—fields。Veryfewofourownmenhavebeenkilled，andnotoneofthemmadeprisoner。Nowthewholecountryisfree，andourvictoriousmenarecominghome。"
Notamuscleinthecaptain"sfacehadbetrayedthathehadheardSchroepfel"sreport。Hestillstaredquietlyatthesky，andhisfeaturesexpressedneithergriefnorsurpriseattheastoundingnews。
"Youdonotaskatall，sir，ifElizaWallnerwillreturnwiththemen？"askedSchroepfel，angrily。"Ishouldthinkyououghttotakesomeinterestinthat，forLizzieisyourbetrothed。"
"Sheisnot！"criedthecaptain，startingupindignantly，withflushedcheeksandflashingeyes。
"Yes，sheis，"saidSchroepfel，composedly。"ImyselfheardthegirlsaytoherfatherandthemenofWindisch—Matrey:"Heismybridegroom;Ilovehim，andyoumustnotkillhim。"Andbecauseshesaidso，themensparedyourlife，althoughAnthonyWallner—
Aichbergerwasveryangry，andwouldnotforgivehisdaughterforhavinggivenherhearttoanenemyofhercountry，aBavarian，and，moreover，anobleman，andnottoanhonestpeasant。ButLizziebeggedandwailedsomuchthatherfathercouldnotbutyield，andpromisedhertoforgiveallifsheprovedthatshewasnotraitoresstohercountry，butatrueandbravedaughteroftheTyrol;afterdoingso，hewouldpermithertomarryherBavarianbetrothed。AndnowshehasprovedthatsheisatrueandbravedaughteroftheTyrol，andthewholecountryisfulloftheheroicdeedsperformedbyLizzieWallner，andoftheintrepiditywhichshedisplayedunderthemosttryingcircumstances。Andto—day，captain，youwillmeetagainyourbetrothed，whosavedyourlife，andwhowentwiththemenonlytoperformheroicdeedsthatwouldinduceherfathertoconsenttoherunionwithyou。Itellyou，sir，beautifulLizzieWallner，yourbetrothed，willreturninanhourortwo。"
Theyoungman"sfacecrimsonedforamoment，andwhenthecolordisappearedfromhischeeks，theirpallorwasevenmorestrikingandghastlythanbefore。
"ElizaWallnerfought，then，verybravelyagainst——againstmycountrymen？"heasked，pantingly。
"No，shedidnotfight，sir，butshewentintothethickestshowerofbulletstocarryawaythewoundedTyrolese，andattendtotheirinjuries;andshedroveahay—wagondirectlytowardtheenemy，andourmenwereconcealedbehindthehay，andshebroughtakegofwinetoourmenwhilethebulletswerewhistlingroundher;and，finally，sheandtheotherwomenescortedtheBavarianprisonerstoCastleSteinach。"
Theyoungmanutteredacry，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
"Whatadisgrace，oh，whatadisgrace！"hegroaned，despairingly;
andinhisgriefheseemedtohaveentirelyforgottenthepresenceoftheservant，forhewept，weptsobitterlythatlargescaldingtearstrickleddownbetweenhisfingers。"Ourbravesoldiersweredefeatedbymiserablepeasants，"hewailed。"TheBavarianprisonersweremarchedoffunderanescortofwomen！"
Schroepfelstoodasifpetrified，andthisoutburstofthegriefoftheusuallyhaughtyandlaconicyoungmanfilledhimwiththeutmostsurpriseandconfusion。
However，thecaptainsuddenlydriedhistearsanddroppedhishandsfromhisface。
"AndElizaWallner，yousay，ledthewomenwhoescortedtheBavarianprisoners？"heasked，inafirm，almostmenacingvoice。
"Yes，sir，shedid，"saidSchroepfel。"Andnowherfatherisreconciledwithher，and，toproveit，hewillmarryhisdaughtertoyouto—day。"
Thecaptainsaidnothing;onlyaproud，scornfulsmileplayedaroundhislipsforamoment。
"Yes，"addedSchroepfel，"theweddingwillcomeoffto—day。
Immediatelyaftertheirreturntheprocessionwillmovetothechurch，whereathanksgivingservicewillbeheld;itwillbefollowedbythemarriageceremony。Mr。Wallnerwrotetohiswifetosendyoutothechurchassoonasthebellscommencedringing，andtokeepyouinthevestryuntilyouweresentfor。Remember，therefore，assoonasthebellscommenceringing，Ishallcallforyouandtakeyoutothevestry。"
Theyoungmanwassilent，andgazedthoughtfullybeforehim;bethenthrewbackhisheadwithanairofboldresolution。
"Allright，"hesaid，"Ishallaccompanyyou。Didyounotsaythatmybaggagehadbeensenthitherfromthecastle？"
"Yes，yes，MissElzasenteverythinghitherbyherservants，andsheherselfcamewiththem。Andduringthefirstdays，whenyouhadthewound—fever，shecamehereatleastthreetimesadayandaskedhowyouwere，andcriedandlamented，andentreatedmeforGod"ssaketoadmithertoyourroomonlyforabriefmoment。ButIhadswornnottoadmitanyonetomyprisoner，nortopermithimtospeakwithanyone;hence，Icouldnotmakeanexceptioneveninfavorofthekind—heartedyounglady。Shecomesneverthelesseverydayandinquiresaboutyou;andshebeggedhardandlonguntilMrs。
Wallnerpermittedhertosendyourdinneralwaysfromthecastle。Asyouwillbefreeto—day，Imaytellyouallthis，foritwillnolongerdoanyharm。"
"No，itwillnolongerdoanyharm，"saidthecaptain，withapeculiarsmile。"Listen，Iwishtodressupforto—day"sceremony，anddonmygalauniform。Thereforebesokindastofetchit。"
"Iwill，captain，Iwillfetchtheuniformandbebackdirectly，"
saidSchroepfel，cheerfully，limpinghastilytowardthedoor。Butoutsidehestoodstillandpressedhisfingerthoughtfullytohisnose。"Idonotknowexactlywhattothinkofit，"hemurmuredtohimself。"AtfirstheutteredaloudcryandsaidLizzieWallnerwasnothisbetrothed;afterwardhelamentedpiteouslybecauseLizzieWallnerescortedtheBavarianprisoners;andfinallyheaskedforhisgalauniforminordertodressupfortheceremony。Well，weshallseeverysoonifhehashonestintentionstowardLizzieandreallylovesher。Ifhethinkshecanplayheratrick，hehadbetter，beware，forIshallneverlosesightofhim;Ishallalwaysbebehindhim，andifhedoesnottreatthegirlasheoughtto，I
willstrikehimdownwithmyfistslikeamadbull！Iwilldoit，sohelpmeGod！"
CHAPTERXXI。
THECATASTROPHE。
Thebellswereringing，themenwererejoicing，andthegirlsofWindisch—Matreyanditsenvironstookpositionwithbasketsofflowersonbothsidesofthestreet。Forthevictoriousdefendersofthecountrywereapproaching;theircheerswerealreadyheardatadistance;andtheyalreadysawthemerryboyswhohadgoneouttomeetthem，andwhonowheadedtheprocessionamidmanifestationsoftheliveliestdelight。Yes，theywerecoming，theywerecoming！
Yonder，downthemountain—slope，movedthemotleyprocessionoftheTyrolese，resemblingaglitteringserpentofgiganticproportions。
Howtheirriflesflashedinthesun！Howbeautifullythebouquetsadornedtheirpointedgreenhats！Andnowtheywerealreadyabletodistinguishthefacesandtheindividualforms。Immediatelybehindtheboys，attheheadoftheprocession，walkedAnthonyWallner—
Aichberger。Howsplendidthecommander—in—chieflooked;andhowbeautifulwasLizzie，walkingbyhisside，handsomelydressed，andwearingabeautifulbouquetinherbosom！HerattentivefatherhaddespatchedaspecialmessengertohiswifeforLizzie"sholidaydressandhertrinkets，sothatLizzie，theprideandjoyofhisheart，mightmakeherentranceinabecomingmannerintoWindisch—
Matrey。
Lizzielookedreallysplendidinherholidayattire。Herravenhair，flowingdowninheavytressesonherneck，wasinterwovenwithdarkredribbons，andlargerosettesofthesamecolorwerefastenedwithsilverpinstoherhead。Herlow—neckedcorset，adornedwithsilvertrimmings，wasfastenedonthebreastwithsilverchains;andaboveitroseawhitechemisettetrimmedwithlaces，andveilingchastelyherfaultlessbustandbeautifully—shapedshoulders。Largewhitesleevescoveredherarmsandwerefastenedtoherwristswithdark—
redrosettes。Anampleskirtoffinedark—redwool，trimmedwithblackvelvet，fellfromherslenderwaistdowntoherankles，andhersmallfeetwereencasedinhandsomestockingsandshoesadornedwithlargesilverbuckles。Theboyshadbroughttoherthesplendidbouquetwhichsheworeinherbosom，andhadtoldher，amidlaughterandcheers，thatherbetrothedsentherthebouquetasawedding—
present。
ButthesewordshadrenderedLizziesilentandsad。Thesmilehaddisappearedfromherlips，andthecolorhadfadedfromhercheeks;
shelookedanxiouslyatherfather，buthenoddedtoherandsaidlaughingly:"Donotaskmeanyquestionsto—day，Lizzie，forIwillnottellyouanything。Awaitquietlytheeventsthatwilltakeplace，andbearinmindthatyourfatherlovesyoudearly，andisanxioustomakehislittledaughterhappyandcontented。"
Elizatriedtodivinewhatthesewordsofherfathermeant，andagloomyforeboding，aterrorwhichshewasunabletoexplaintoherself，filledherheart。
Shelistenednolongertothejoyousshoutsoftheboys，andceasedsingingwithPanzlthefinesongsoftheTyrolesemountains，butwalkedalong，pale，silent，andhangingherhead。
NowtheyreachedWindisch—Matrey，andstoodstillattheentranceofthestreet，wheretheclergy，municipalauthorities，andthebeautifully—dressedgirls，badethemwelcome。Oh，itwasasoul—
stirringmoment，asacredfestivalofwelcome！Thebravemenhadgoneouttofightfortheirnativecountry，theiremperor，andthelibertiesoftheTyrol;andGodhadgrantedthemvictory。Hehadassistedtheminallcontests，thecountrywasfree，theemperorwasagainmasteroftheTyrol，andthemenofWindisch—Matreyreturnedvictoriouslytotheirhomes。Allseemedtogreetthemwithglowinglooksoflove;thewholeearthseemedtoshout"Welcome！"tothem。
Eventheglisteningsnow—cladsummitsoftheGross—Glocknerseemedtolookatthemovertheothermountainswithanairofcuriosityandsolemnkindness;andonthegreenmountain—pasturesstoodtheredcowssoproudandhandsome，asiftheyhadplacedthemselvesthereforthepurposeofadorningthelandscapeforthereturningheroes。AndthewildIselbachmurmuredmerrilyattheroadsideandsentitssilverysprayintotheair，andtheboyslaughedandsang;
thebellspealedsoloudlyandsolemnly，andreceivedringingresponsesfromthevillagesfartherdowninthevalley;thepriestsstoodwithsolemn，devoutfacesattheentranceoftheplace，blessingtheheroeswithupliftedhands，andeyesturnedtoheaven;
andthegirlsandmatrons，strewingflowerstothereturningmen，stoodonbothsidesofthestreet，andgreetedthemwithbeamingsmiles。
Oh，thissweet，sublimemomentsilencedallcaresanddoubts。ThesmilereturnedtoEliza"slips，hercheekscrimsoned，andhereyesbeamedwiththepurestjoy。Withaloudcryofdelightshethrewherselfintothearmsofhermother，andkissedherathousandtimes，andscarcelylistenedtotheaddressofthecurate，whoreturnedthankstoherinthenameofthewholeparishforhercourageandtheassistanceshehadrenderedtohercountrymenwoundedinbattle。
ButnowElizaheardadearfamiliarvoice，whichcausedhertoraiseherselffromhermother"sarmsandlookup。Yes，itwastheold，kind—heartedBaronvonHohenbergwhowasstandingbeforeher，andheldouthishandtoherwithhissunniestandkindestsmile。"Mybravedaughter，"hesaid，feelingly，"givemeyourhand。YouknowthatIloveyouasthoughyouweremyownchild，andnowIamproudofyou，foryouhavebecomeaheroine，andhavedonehonortoourTyrol。ElzawasrightafterallinalwayscallingyouanotherMaidofOrleans，andsayingyouwereabornheroine。"
"ButwhereisElza？"saidLizzie，anxiously，totheoldcastellan。
"HereIam，dearestEliza，"saidtheyounglady，whohadhithertokeptherselfbehindherfatherandtheclergyman。
"Oh，myElza，mydear，dearElza！"exclaimedEliza，rapturously;andsheencircledherfriend"sneckwithherarms，andimprintedaglowingkissonherlips。
ButshefeltthatElza"slipsquivered，thatshedidnotreturnthekiss，norpressthefriendtoherheart;anditseemedtoElizaasthoughacoldhandsuddenlytouchedherheartandpresseditrudelyandcruelly。SheraisedherheadfromElza"sshoulder，andlookedherfullintheface。ItwasnotuntilnowthatshesawhowpaleElzawas，howredhereyeswithweeping，andhowforcedhersmile。
"Youaresick，Elza，"shesaid，anxiously。
"No，"whisperedElza，"Iamnot。"
"ThenyouloveyourLizzienolonger？"askedEliza，pressingly。
"Yes，Ido，"saidElza，inahollowvoice，andwithawondrouslymournfulsmile。"Idoloveyou，and，toproveit，Ipresentyouwiththiswreath。Godblessyou，dearLizzie;mayHegrantyouhappiness！"
"Elza，"criedEliza，anxiously，"Elza，praycometomeandtellmewhatitmeans，what——"
"Hush，Lizzie，hush，"saidherfather，seizingherhandanddrawingherforward。"Doyounotseethattheprocessionismovingon，andthatwemustgowithit？See，thecurateandthecastellanarealreadyfarahead，andwemustgotoo。"
"Butwhere，father，where？"
"Tothechurch，youdearlittlegoose！"
"Tothechurch？Whatarewetodothere？Whydowenotgohome？"
"Haveyoubecomesoimpiousduringyourcampaign，Lizzie，asnottoknowthatwemustalwaysrenderhomagetoGodfirstandaboveallthings？Wearegoingtochurchtoreturnthanks;comewithme，andasknomorequestions。"
"ButIwilltakeoffthemyrtle—wreath！"exclaimedLizzie，liftingherhandanxiouslytothewreath。Butherfatherdrewbackherhand。
"No，Lizzie，"hesaid，"donotremovethewreath。Itfitswellonyourhead。"
"ButIamnobridegoingtochurchonherwedding—day。"
"Really，Lizzie，areyounot，"askedherfather，laughing。
"Buthushnow，mychild，wearealreadyatthechurch—door，anddoyounothearthegloriousswellingnotesoftheorgan？Letusenterthechurch，dearLizzie。"
Hedrewherforward，andElizafollowedhim:butindescribableanguishoppressedhersoul;shedidnotknowwhy，andshefeltasthoughsomethingdreadfulwereabouttohappenhere，andasthoughsheoughttoflee，fleefarintothemountains，intosolitude。
Butherfatherheldherbythehand，andwalkedwithherupthemainaisletothelargealtar。Rowsofchairs，decoratedwithflowers，hadbeenplacedhere，andElizahadtoseatherselfononeofthesechairs;byhersidesatherfather;oppositeher，thecastellanandherfriendElza;thencamethemunicipality，andJohnPanzl，lieutenant—commanderofthemenofWindisch—Matrey，andbehindthemstoodthedensecrowdofthesharpshootersofthePusterthal。
Elizacastasearchingglanceonthedensecrowd;shelookedatallthepews，andyetshedidnotknowwhatshewaslookingfor，norwhatalarmedherheartsomuch。
Allatonceshestartedinsuddenterror，andhercheekturneddeadlypale。Yonder，behindthewindowsofthevestry，shebeheldayoungmaninahandsomeuniform;itwashe，hewhomshehadlookedforwithoutknowingitherself;hefromwhosesightherhearthadshrunkwithanxietyanddismay。AndyetElizahadlongedtoseehim，forshehadbeenuneasyonhisaccount;shehadfearedlestheshouldstillsuffergravelyfromtheconsequencesofhiswound。Butshehadnotdaredtoaskanyoneabouthim;hence，shewasgladtoseethathewaswell，andshowedhergladnessinhergazeathim。
Theireyesmet，buthelookeduponherwithanexpressionofhatredandcontempt;ahaughty，disdainfulsmileplayedroundhislips，andhethrewbackhisheadsuperciliously，insteadofnoddingpleasantlytoher。
Elizafeltaterriblepaininherheart;shewishedtojumpup，she—
—Allatoncesheheardhernamedropfromthelipsofthecurate，whowasstandingbeforethealtar，andwhohadjustconcludedthethanksgivingprayer。Whatdidhesay——whydidhementionher？Sheheldherbreathtolistentohim。Greatheavens！anothernamefellfromthecurate"slips。HeutteredthenameofUlrichvonHohenberg;
heproclaimedhimthebridegroomofElizaWallner，whowaspresent;
hecalleduponCaptainUlrichvonHohenbergtoappearbeforethealtar，andreceivetheconsecrationofhisunionwithhisbetrothedinthepresenceofallthesewitnesses。
Withahollowgroan，crushed，andasifbroken—hearted，Elizasankbackintoherchair，andherpalelipsmurmured"NowIamlost，andsoishe？"
"UlrichvonHohenberg，"shoutedthepriestatthealtar，"comehitherandtakeyourbridebythehand。"
Thedoorofthevestryopened，andUlrichvonHohenbergsteppedin。
Histall，slenderformpresentedaveryfineappearanceinthebrilliantgalauniform;aflashingcrossadornedhisbreast;inhishandheheldhisgold—lacedhat，withthewavingwhiteplume;onlytheswordwaswantingtohisside，andthisalonebetokenedhishumiliatingposition，andshowedthathewasaprisoneramidstallthesearmedmen。Buttheconsciousnessofthisfactseemednottohumiliatehim，forhewalkedup，hisheadproudlyraised，andhisstern，coldeyesgazingscornfullyupontheassembly。
Hesteppedcloseuptothealtar。"Reverendfather，"hesaid，inaclear，loudvoicetothepriest，"youhavecalledme。HereIam。
Whatdoyouwantofme？"
"Ihavecalledyou，UlrichvonHohenberg，tomarryyoutoyourbetrothed。ElizaWallner，steptothesideofyourbridegroom。"
ButElizaWallnerdidnotrisefromherchair;sheleanedherhead，almostinaswoon，againstthebackofherchair，andstared，asifunconsciousofwhatwasgoingonaroundher，atthepriestandtheyoungman，whofixedhiseyesonheratthismomentwithanairofcoldcontempt。
"ElizaWallner，"hecriedaloud，"donotcomehither，forIamnotyourbetrothed，andnevershallyoubecomemywife！"
Adeafeningcryofrageburstfromalllips:theeyesofallthebravemeninthechurchflashedwithanger，andtheylaidtheirhandsmenacinglyontheirrifles。
ButAnthonyWallnersprangtohisfeet，palewithrage，hiseyesshootingfire，likethoseofanangrytiger，rushedtowardthecaptain，andsizedhisarm。
"What！"hecried，furiously，"youinfamous，perjuredscoundrel，refusetomarrymydaughter？Firstyoustoleherlove，youpromisedtomarryher，andnowthatIwouldgivehertoyou，yourefusetotakeher！"
"Yes，Ido，"criedUlrichvonHohenberg，almostjoyously。"NeverwillElizaWallner，thepeasant—girl，becomemywife;neverwillI
stoopsolowastoallowawifetobeforceduponme，merelytosavemylife，andleastofallherwhohasfoughtagainstmycountrymenandbrethren;whoparticipatedinthestudiedinsultinflicteduponthebravesoldiersofmyking，andintheinfamoustreasonyouhaveallcommittedagainstyourkingandlord。Yes，Itellyou，youareinfamousrebelsandtraitors，andyouthinkI，CaptainUlrichvonHohenberg，asoldierwhotooktheoathofallegiancetohisking，couldactsodishonorablyandmeanlyastojointherebels！No，never！NeverwillthedaughteroftherebelAnthonyWallnerbecomemywife！Killmenowifyouwanttodoso。Youmaytakemylife，butyoucannotdishonorme！"
Elizasatstillmotionless，andasifpetrified。Shehadheard，asifinadream，thecaptain"swords;and，asifinadream，shesawthatSchroepfelrushedforwardandraisedhispowerfularmagainsthim，andthatallthemencrowdeduptohimwithmenacinggestures;
asifinadream，sheheardwildshoutsandimprecations。
Allatoncetwoice—cold，tremblinghandsseizedEliza"sarms，andabelovedvoicepenetratedherearwiththevehemenceofmortalanguishandterror。
"Eliza！"criedthisvoice——"Eliza，willyouallowthemtokillhim？"
"Elza！"murmuredEliza，asifstartingupfromatrance，"Elza，whatisthematter？"
"Theywillassassinatehim，Eliza！"wailedElza。"Theyhavetiedandgaggedhim，andsaythattheywilltakehimoutandshoothim。
Eliza，youalonecansavehim！Havemercy，forgetwhathesaidinhisrageandgrief。Havemercyuponhim，uponme！ForItellyou，theywillassassinatehim。Oh，see，theyareformingacircleroundhim，anddragginghimdowntheaisle！Theyaretakinghimouttothepublicplace！Theyintendtoshoothim！Savehim，Eliza，savehim！"
Elizamadenoreply;shesprangupfromherseatandhasteneddowntheaisleafterthemen，whowerejustissuingfromthechurch—door，andinwhosemidstwaswalkingCaptainUlrichvonHohenberg，conductedbyAnthonyWallner，andhisservant，lameoldSchroepfel，hishandstiedonhisback，andagaginhismouth。
Butthesharpshooterssurroundedtheprisonerlikeathick，impenetrablewall。VainlydidElizabegandimplorethementoletherpass;vainlydidshetrywiththestrengthofdespairtoelbowherwaythroughtheranks。Themenpushedherbackimpetuously。
"Youshallnotintercede。inbehalfoftheinfamousvillain，"theysaid;"youshallnotsavethelifeofthemeanBavarianwhocallsusrebelsandtraitors，andyetdidnotkeephisownword。Heshallandmustdie，hehasforfeitedhislife。"Andtheirstrongarmspushedherfromthecirclewhichtheynowformedonthelargeplaceinfrontofthechurch。Initsmiddlestoodthecaptain，byhissideAnthonyWallner，andbehindhimSchroepfel，likeawatch—dogreadyatanymomenttotearhisenemy。
Anthonyliftedhisarmwithslow，solemntranquillity，anddroppeditheavilyonthecaptain"sshoulder。
"UlrichvonHohenberg，"hesaid，"youareaninfamousvillain，foryoupledgedyourwordtomydaughterthatyouwouldmarryher，andnowyourepudiateher。Youarealiarandaslanderer，foryoucallusinfamousrebelsandtraitorsmerelybecausewefoughtforourcountryandouremperor。Therefore，youhavesinnedagainstGod，man，andhonor。UlrichvonHohenberg，youmustdie！"
"Yes，youmustdie！"shoutedthemen;andtheytooktheriflesfromtheirshouldersandloadedthem。
AnthonyWallnerandSchroepfelsteppedbackfromtheprisoner，andthemenwhohadstoodbehindhimmovedoutoftheway。Hencethecircle，whichhadhithertobeenimpenetrable，nowopened。Elizasawit，andsprangforward，regardlessofthesharpshooters，whowerejustraisingtheirmuskets，regardlessofthedangermenacingherself。Pale，withpantingbreath，herhandsliftedtoheaven，shespedacrosstheopenspacetowardthecaptain，and，placingherselfbeforehim，exclaimed，withflashingeyes，andinanexultingvoice:
"Nowshoot，men，shoot！ForItellyouheshallnotdiealone，andifyoushoothim，youshallkillmetoo。"
"Eliza！"criedherfather，beseechingly，andwithalangrily，"Eliza，standback！Heisatraitor，andmustdie。"
"Heisnotraitor，normusthedie;andifyouassassinatehimyoushallassassinatemetoo，"criedEliza。