第17章
"But，Lizzie，didyounothear，then，howherepudiatedandabusedyou，thefaithlessBavarian？"askedherfather。
"Idid，andIforgivehim，"shesaidgently，"forIknowfullwellthathedoesnotmeanwhathesays。Areyousostupid，men，asnottocomprehendthathecannotactotherwise，andthathemustspeakthusandnototherwise？Father，yousaidIwasatruedaughteroftheTyrol，andthatyoulovedmeandwerecontentwithme。Iprayyou，then，dearestfather，sparethelifeofmybetrotheduntilto—
morrowmorning，andhavehimtakenbackasaprisonertoourhouseuntilthen。Schroepfelmaywatchhim，andnottakehiseyesfromhim。Oh，dear，kindfriends，bravemen，havemercyuponme！Bearinmindthatwefoughttogetherforourbelovedcountry，andthatyoutoldmeyouwouldneverforgetme，andwouldcomplywithmywisheswheneveryoucould。Iwishnowthatyousparethelifeofmybetrothedonlyuntilto—morrowmorning。"
"Hesaysheisnotyourbetrothed，Lizzie，andwillnevermarryyou！"exclaimedthemen，withirresolutefaces，andalreadyhalfsoftenedbythebeseeching，touchingexpressionofEliza"scountenance。
"Hesaysso，"shesaid，castingafieryglanceonthecaptain，whostoodpaleandmotionless，heardeveryword，andwasunabletomakeareply;"hesaysso，butIknowthathelovesme，andwillbejoyouslyreadyto—morrowmorningtodowhatIaskofhim。Father，"
sheadded，inalowvoice，seizingAnthonyWallner"sarm，anddrawinghimasidequickly，"doyounotcomprehend，then，thatUlrichcannotspeakdifferently？Wouldnothisking，afterhisreturntoBavaria，pronouncehimatraitor，andchargehimwithhavingjoinedusandtheAustrians，andwithhavingconvictedhimselfbymarryingaTyrolesegirl？Bewise，dearestfather，andseehowshrewdlyUlrichmanageseverything，andthatheactspreciselyasItoldhim。Itmustlookasthoughhedidnotmarrymeofhisownaccord，butcompelledbyyou;otherwisehiskingandhisfather，whoisaveryproudman，wouldneverforgivehim。Butwhentheyhearwhathasoccurredhere，andthatyouthreatenedtoshootUlrichbecausehewouldnotmarryme，thegentlemenatMunichwillunderstandthatUlrichhadtotakemeinordertosavehislife。"
"Andareyousatisfiedtohaveitlookasthoughhemarriedyouonlyundercompulsion？"askedherfather，gloomily。
"Iam，father，"shesaid，"forIlovemybetrothed;andheshallnotbecomeunhappyformysakeandforfeitthegoodgracesofhiskingandhisfather。Stateallthistoyourfriends，dearfather，andtellthemtoletUlrichandmealoneforto—day;butaskthemalltocometoourhouseto—morrowmorningandaccompanythebrideandbridegroomtothechurch，forUlrichwillmarrymeatnineto—morrowmorning。"
"But，Lizzie，whynotto—day？"askedherfather。"Whynotatthishour？"
"Itwillnotdo，father。Ifyouhadtoldmebeforehandwhatwastobedonehere，IshouldhavetoldyouatoncewhatIamtellingyounow:itwillnotdoforayounggirltoappearbeforeGod"saltarwithoutduepreparation，andasthoughsheweregoingtoadance。
WhatIamgoingtodoissomethingveryserious，andIwilldoitseriously。IwillpraytoGodto—day，gotoconfession，andhaveagreatmanythingstotalkoverwithUlrich，forIknowhewantsmetosetoutwithhimimmediatelyafterwehavebeenmarried，andthatitmaynotlookasthoughhehadstayedvoluntarilywithyouinourvalley。Imust，therefore，packupmythingsandpreparefordepartingassoonaswehavebeenmarried。Letusalone，then，dearfather，to—day，andinvitethementocometo—morrowmorningandattendmymarriagewithCaptainUlrichvonHohenberg。"
"Well，then，Lizzie，Iwillcomplywithyourwishes，"saidWallner，afterashortreflection。"Iwillgiveyouandhimtimeuntilto—
morrowmorning;butItellyou，mydaughter，ifhecontinuesthesamegameto—morrow，andtalkstheninthesamestrainasto—day，I
shalltakethejestindeadearnest，andwillnotbelieveawordofallyousaytoexcusehim:andthenhislifeisforfeited，andhemustdie。——No，Schroepfel，comehere;taketheprisonerbacktomyhouse，andconfinehimwhereyouhavekepthimforaweekpast。ButItellyou，watchhimwell，andadmitnoonetohimexceptLizzie，andpreventhimfromtalkingwithanybodybuthisbetrothed。"
"Iwilldoso，andwatchhimasIhavedoneuptothistime，"saidSchroepfel，gloomily。"Heshallnottalkwithanybody，andIshouldlikeitbestifhewerenotpermittedeithertospeakwithLizzie，forIdonotbelieveatallthatsheishisbetrothed。"
"Weshallseeto—morrowmorning，whenthemarriageistotakeplace，"saidAnthonyWallner。——"Taketheprisoneraway。"
"Youlethimgo？"exclaimedthemen。"Yousparehislife？"
"Onlyuntilto—morrowmorning，becauseLizziebeggedmetodoso，"
saidAnthonyWallner。"Theweddingwilltakeplaceatnineto—morrowmorning;Iinviteyoualltoattendit，men，andweshallseethen。
To—morrowmorningtherewillbeaweddingoranexecution。Nowletusspeaknomoreofitto—day;letusforgetwhathashappenedtoAnthonyWallnerandhisdaughter;andletusbearinmindonlythatwehavereturnedafterdeliveringourdearTyrolfromtheFrenchandBavarians。Letusgonowtomyhouse，wheremywifeawaitsuswithakegofexcellentwine。Come，wewilldrinktothewelfareofourfatherland，andtothehealthofourdearEmperorFrancis！"
CHAPTERXXII。
ELIZAANDULRICH
Schroepfel，thefaithfulservant，hadtakenUlrichvonHohenberg，inobediencetoAnthonyWallner"sorder，backtothesmallroomwherehehadpassedthelasteightdaysasaprisoner。Sincehehadhimagaininhiscustody，noadditionalprecautionswerenecessary，forSchroepfelknewthathecouldrelyonhisownvigilance，andthattheprisonersurelywouldneverescapefromhim。Hence，heloosenedthecordswithwhichhehadbeentied，andremovedthehandkerchiefwithwhichhehadbeengagged。
"Ifitaffordsyoupleasure，"saidSchroepfel，"youmayuseyourmouthandinveighagainstLizzieWallner，whohassavedyourlifeto—dayasecondtime，andwhomyourewardedlikeagenuineBavarian，thatistosay，withblackingratitudeandtreachery。ButIadviseyounottoabuseherloudenoughformetohearyououtside，forI
amnotapatientasLizzie，andIshallneverpermityoutoabuseandtreatsocontemptuouslythenoblestandbestgirlinthewholecountry。Sheactedtowardyouto—dayasagoodChristianandabravegirl，foryouinsultedher，andshenotonlyforgaveyou，butprotectedyouandsavedyourlife。Andnow，sir，abuseherifyoucannothelpit;butItellyouoncemore，donotspeaktooloudlestIshouldhearyou。"
AndSchroepfelturnedwithalastthreateningglanceandlefttheroom。Outsidehesatdownonthecane—setteewhich，forthepasteightdays，hadbeenhisseatbydayandhiscouchbynight;andhepressedhiseyetothemiddleholewhichhehadboredinthedoor。
Hecoulddistinctlyseeandwatchthecaptainthroughit。Ulrichhadsunkdownonachairandleanedhisheadonhishand;heliftedhissombreeyestoheaven，andtherewasastrangeexpressionofemotionandgriefuponhisface。ButheseemednottointendavailinghimselfofthepermissionwhichSchroepfelhadgivenhimtoabuseLizzieWallner，forhislipswerefirmlycompressed，andnotasoundfellfromthem。OrcouldSchroepfel，perhaps，nothearhim，becausethemendowninthebar—roomwerelaughingandshoutingsomerrily，andspeakingsoloudlyandenthusiasticallyoftheTyrol，anddrinkingthehealthoftheemperorandtheArchdukeJohn，whohadagaintakenpossessionofthecountryandsolemnlyproclaimedthathewouldrestoretheancientandliberalconstitutionoftheTyrolese？
"Howmerrytheyaredown—stairs！"growledSchroepfel。"Imightbethereto;Ihaveamplydeservedtohavealittleexerciseandpleasure。InsteadofthatImustsiteherewithadrymouth;andifthisgoesonmuchlonger，Ishallsurelygrowfasttomysettee。Andallthatforthesakeofthemean，perfidiousBavarian，whoisutterlydishonest，andwhotreatedourbeautiful，nobleLizzieinsoinfamousamanner！Well，ifIwereinthegirl"splace，Iwouldnottaketheperfidiouswretchwhohasdeniedhertwicealready。Oh，howmerrytheyaredown—stairs！NoonethinksofmeandgivesmeadropofwinethatImaylikewisedrinktothewelfareofthefatherland。"
ButSchroepfelwasmistakenforonce，forquickfootstepsascendedthestaircaseatthismoment，andnowappearedthelovelyheadofElizaWallnerabovetherailing，thenherwholeform，andasecondafterwardshestoodinthepassageclosebeforeSchroepfel。Inherhandssheheldaplatewithalargepieceofthefinecakewhichhermotherherselfhadbaked，andalargeglassofexcellentredwine。
"There，good，faithfulSchroepfel，"shesaidinhergentlevoice，noddingtohimpleasantly，andhandingtheplatetohim，"eatanddrink，andletmeinthemeantimegoandseeyourprisoner。"
"Whatdoyouwantofhim？"askedSchroepfel，moodily。
"Iwanttoseehimaboutourweddingto—morrow，"saidElizacalmly;
"andyouknowfatherhasgivenmepermissiontogotohimandspeakwithhim。"
"Yes，hedid，andIcannotpreventyoufromentering，whichIwoulddootherwise，"growledSchroepfel。"Goin，then，butdonotstaytoolong;andifheshouldabuseyouagain，praycallme，andIwillassistyou。"
"Thankyou，dearSchroepfel，"saidEliza，"butprayadmitmenow。"
SchroepfelwithdrewhissetteefromthedoorandallowedElizatoopenit，and，enteringtotheprisoner，closeditagainbehindher。
UlrichvonHohenbergstillsat，asSchroepfelhadseenhim，atthetable，leaninghisheadonhishand;onlyhehadnowcoveredhiseyeswithhishands，andlongsighsissuedfromhisbreast。Heseemednottoknowthatthedoorhadopenedandsomeonehadentered，orratherperhapshethoughtitwasonlySchroepfel，andhedidnotwishtotakeanynoticeofhim。
ElizaWallnerstoodleaningagainstthewall，andgazedathimalongtimewithawondrousexpressionofloveandgrief;foramomentshelaidherhandonherbosom，asiftostiflethecrywhichherlipswerealreadyabouttoutter;thenshecastabeseechingglancetowardheaven，and，asifstrengthenedbythismuteinvocation，shesteppedforward。
"CaptainUlrichvonHohenberg！"shesaid，inhersweet，melodiousvoice。
Hegaveastart，droppedhishandfromhisface，andjumpedup。
"ElizaWallner！"hesaid，breathlesslyandingreatconfusion。
Sheonlynoddedherhead，andfixedherclear，piercingeyeswithaproud，reproachfulexpressiononhisface;hedroppedhiseyesbeforehergaze。Onseeingthis，Elizasmiled，and，crossingtheroomwitharapidstep，wenttothewindow。
"Comehere，sir，andlookatthat。Whatdoyouseeyonder？"
Ulrichsteppedtoherandlookedout。"Iseethemountainsandthesummitsoftheglaciers，"hesaid;"andinthedirectioninwhichyouarepointingyourfinger，Iseealsomyuncle"scastle。"
"Doyouseealsothebalcony，UlrichvonHohenberg？"sheasked，somewhatsarcastically。
"Ido，"hereplied，almosttimidly。
Shelookedathimwiththeproudandloftyairofaqueen。
"Whenwemetlastandspokewitheachother，westoodonyonderbalcony，"addedEliza。"Doyourememberwhatwesaidatthetime，sir？"
"Eliza，"hemurmured——
"Yourememberitnolonger，"sheinterruptedhim，"butIdo。Onyonderbalconyyousworetomethatyoulovedmeboundlessly;andwhenIlaughedatyou，youinvokedheavenandearthtobearwitnessofyourlove。Now，sir，heavenandearthgaveyouanopportunitytoproveyourardentloveforElizaWallner。Didyouprofitbythatopportunity？"
"No，"hesaid，inalowvoice;"itistrue，Iactedharshlyandcruellytowardyou，Ioccasionedyoubittergrief，I——"
"Idonotcomplain，"sheexclaimed，proudly。"Idonotspeakofmyself，butonlyofyou。Yousworeeternallovetomeatthattime，butyoudidsoasamendaciousBavarian;Ididnotbelieveyou，andknewfullwellthatyouhadnohonestintentionstowardme。ForthisreasonIlaughedatyou，andsaidthepeasant—girlwasnosuitablematchforyou，andrejectedallyouroathsandprotestationsofpassionatelove。"
"Butafterwards，topunishmeforventuringtospeakoflovetoyou，"heexclaimed，impetuously，"youfeignedtohavebelievedmyprotestationsandoaths;andalthoughyouhadpreviouslylaughedatme，youwishednowtobecomemywife。"
"No，"shesaid，withafieryglanceofdisdain;"no，afterwardsI
onlywishedtosaveyourlife。YouhaveutterlymistakenElizaWallner"scharacter，UlrichvonHohenberg。YouthoughtLizzieWallnerwoulddeemherselfexceedinglyfortunatetobecomethewifeofanaristocraticgentleman，eventhoughhetookheronlybycompulsion:youthoughtshewouldbecontenttoleavetheTyrolbythesideofthenoblemanwhodisdainedher，andgotothelargeforeigncityofMunich，wherethearistocracywouldscornandmockthepoorTyrolesegirl。No，sir，Itellyou，youhaveutterlymistakenmycharacter。Iattachnovaluewhatevertoyouraristocraticname，nortothedistinguishedpositionofyourfamily;
whenImarry，Ishallchooseahusbandwholovesmewithallhisheart，andwhodoesnotwishtolivewithoutme，andtakesmeofhisownaccord，andwiththefullenthusiasmofanobleheart。ButhewouldhavetoremaininthemountainsandbeasonoftheTyrol;formyheartisattachedtothemountains，andneverwouldIorcouldI
leavethemtoremovetoalargecity。Yousee，therefore，Ulrich，thatamarriagewithyouwouldbynomeansappeartomeaveryfortunatething;and，moreover，ifyouhadallowedyourselftobecompelledtomarryme，hadyounotrefusedtodoso，Ishouldhavedespisedyouallmylifelongasamiserablecoward。Ithankyou，therefore，forresistingthemensobravely，forIshouldhavebeensorrytobeobligedtodespiseyou;youaremydearElza"scousin，andImyselfhavealwayslikedyousowell。"
"Eliza，"heexclaimed，impetuously，"youareanangelofgoodnessandlenity，andIstandbeforeyoufilledwithshameandgrief。Yousayyoualwayslikedmesowell，andItreatedyouwithsomuchingratitudeanddisdain！Oh，letmepressthisdearhandtomylips，letmethankyouforallthatyouhavedoneforme！"
Hetriedtoseizeherhand，butshewithdrewitfromhimquickly。
"CaptainvonHohenberg，"shesaid，"wearenolongeronthebalconyyonder;norisitnecessarythatyoushouldkissmyhand。Thatmaybesuitablewhenyouhavefairladiesfromthecitybeforeyou，butnotwhenyouarespeakingwithaTyrolesegirl。Besides，Ididnottellyouallthistoobtainpraiseandadmirationfromyou，buttopreventyoufromtakingmeforamean—spiritedgirl，respectingherselfsolittleastotrytogetahusbandinsodishonorableamanner。No，bytheHolyVirgin，Iwouldratherdieandbeburiedunderanavalanchethanactsomeanlyanddisgracefully。Butwhenthepeasantsweregoingtokillyou，therewasnootherwayformetosaveyourlifethanthatofsayingthatyouweremybetrothed，andthatwastheonlyreasonwhyIsaidso。How。ever，Ihadnoideathattheweddingwastotakeplaceto—day，formydearfatherhadconcealeditfromme，andwishedtosurpriseme，becausehereallybelievedthatIlovedyou。IfIhadknownbeforehandwhatfatherhadinview，Ishouldhavedevisedsomewayofpreventinghimfromcarryinghisplanintoeffect。ButIsweartoyou，Ihadnoinklingofit。Therefore，Ibegyourpardon，sir，fortheharshtreatmentyoureceivedattheirhandsformysake。"
"Eliza，"hesaid，mournfully，"yourwordsrendmyheart。Oh，donotbesogentleandgenerous！Beangrywithme，callmeaninfamousvillain，who，inhisblindness，didnotpenetrateyourmagnanimityandheroicself—sacrifice;donottreatmewiththischarmingmildnesswhichcrushesme！Youactedlikeanangeltowardme，andI
treatedyoulikeaheartlessbarbarian。"
"Iforgiveyouwithallmyheart，andthereforeyoumayforgiveyourself，"shesaid，withagentlesmile。"Butletusspeaknolongerofthepast;letusthinkonlyofthefuture。Youheardwhatfathersaid:"To—morrowmorningtherewillbeaweddingoranexecution。""
"Well，then，therewillbeaweddingto—morrowmorning，"exclaimedUlrich，castinganardentglanceontheyounggirl;"yes，therewillbeaweddingto—morrowmorning。Pray，Eliza，savemylifeathirdtimeto—morrow;becomemywife！"
"Iwillsaveyourlife，"shesaid，throwingbackherhead，proudly;
"butfortunatelyitisunnecessaryformetobecomeyourwifeforthatpurpose。Ihavecomehereonlytosaveyou。Sir，youmustescapeto—night。"
"Escape，"hesaid，shrugginghisshoulders;"escape，whenSchroepfelisguardingmydoor？"
"Hush！donotspeaksoloud，sir;hemighthearyou，andhemustknownothingaboutit。Bendyourheadclosertomeandlisten:Gotobedearlythisevening，butextinguishyourlightbeforehand，lestSchroepfelshouldseeanything。MymothertoldmeSchroepfelhadboredholesinthedoor，andwaswatchingyouallthetime。
Therefore，gotobedearly，andleaveyourwindowopen。Whenthechurch—clockstrikestwo，listenforanynoise，andholdyourselfinreadiness。ThatisallIhavetosaytoyou，andnowgood—by。"
Shenoddedtohim，andturnedtothedoor。
"ButI。Eliza——Ihavetotellyoumanythingsyet，"saidUlrich，detainingher。"Pray，stayyetawhileandlistentome！"
"No，sir，itistimeformetogo;mymotheriswaitingforme，"
repliedEliza，withdrawingherhandfromhis。"Good—by，andifyoucanpray，praytoGodtoprotectyouto—night！"
Sheopenedthedoorhastilyandsteppedout，andsmiledatSchroepfel，buttheoldservantlookedathergloomily。
"YoustayedalongwhilewiththeBavarian，"hegrowled。
"Andyetyoudidnoteatyourcakenoremptyyourglassinthemeantime，"saidEliza，withasmile。"Youlookedagainthroughtheholeinthedoor，didyounot？Yousaw，then，Schroepfel，thatwestoodtogetherlikeapairofsensiblelovers。"
"Ididnotseeanything，"exclaimedSchroepfel，angrily，"foryouplacedyourselfclosetothewindow，andmyholedoesnotenablemetolookaroundthecorner;nordidIhearanything，foryouwhisperedassoftlyasthoughyouwereacoupleofsparrowswhichunderstandeachotherwhenbillingandcooing。"
"Fie，Schroepfel！donottalksuchnonsense，"criedEliza，blushingdeeply。"Behaveyourself，Schroepfel，andIwillbringyouanotherbottleofwineto—day，andbegfathertoletyoucomedowntosupperto—night，andpermityoutosleepinyourbedchamber。"
"Ishalltakegoodcaretodonosuchthing，"growledSchroepfel。"I
amasentinelhere，andmustnotdesertmypost。"
"Butyoumaytakeyoursentry—boxwithyou，"saidEliza，pointingtohissettee。"Whenasoldierremainsclosetohissentry—box，hedoesnotdeserthispost。Well，good—by，Schroepfel;thesentinelwillberelievedto—night。"
Eliza"swordswerefulfilled。TowardnightfallsheinformedSchroepfelthatherfatherpermittedhimtotakehissupperatthetabledown—stairs，andafterwardgotobedinhisownchamber。
"Well，andwhoistowatchtheprisonerinthemeantime？"askedSchroepfel。
"Youyourself！Look，youwilllockthedoorandputthekeyinyourpocket。Inaddition，youmayputthatheavyboxyonderagainstthedoor;thenyouwillbesurethatyourprisonercannotgetout，forI
thinkhischamberhasnootheroutlet。"
"Yes，ithas——thewindow！"
"DoyouthinktheBavarianhaswingsandwillflyoutofthewindowto—night？"
"Itistruehecannotflyout，norcanhejumpout，forhewouldsimplybreakhisneck。But，nevertheless，Idonotlikethisarrangementatall。Somethingtellsmethatitwillturnoutwrong。
Ishall，atleast，unchainthewatch—dog，whowillpreventtheBavarianfromescapingthroughthewindow。Fortherest，Ifeelthatallmylimbsarestiff，andthatIhaveatlengthdeservedsomerepose。Asitisyourfather"swill，Iwillgodown—stairs，takesupper，andafterwardgotobedinmychamber。Ifanythinghappens，Ishallwashmyhandsofit。"
"Washthemasmuchasyouplease，Schroepfel，butcomedowntosupper，"criedEliza，hasteningdown—stairswiththeagilityofabird。
Schroepfellookedafterher，shakinghishead;hethenlockedthedoor，putthekeyinhispocket，andplacedtheheavyiron—boundboxagainstthedoor。
"AndbeforegoingtobedIshallunchainPhylax，"hesaid，asiftoconsolehimself，whilehewasgoingslowlyandstifflydown—stairs。
Schroepfelkepthisword。Wearyandexhaustedashewas，hewaiteduntilalltheinmatesofthehousebadgonetobed，anduntilallnoisehaddiedaway。Hethenwentintotheyardandunchainedtheformidableandill—humoredwatch—dog。Phylaxhowledandtrembledwithjoyanddelightatbeingreleased;butSchroepfelseizedhisearandpointedhisotherhandattheprisoner"swindow，whichwasbrightlyilluminatedbythemoon。
"Watchthatwindowwell，Phylax，"hesaid，"watchitwell;andifyouseeanythingsuspicious，callmeatonce。Ishallnotsleepsofastasnottohearyourbasking。Watchitwell，Phylax。"
Thedoglookeduptothewindowasifhehadunderstoodtheorder;
hethenfixedhisclear，lustrouseyesonSchroepfel，andutteredathreateninggrowl。
"Verywell，"saidSchroepfel，"youhaveunderstoodme。Youwillwatchhim，andImaygotobed。"
Hedroppedtheearofthedog，whothereuponboundedwildlythroughtheyard，whileSchroepfellimpedbackintothehouse。Hewasheardslowlyascendingthestaircaseandopeningthecreakingdoorofhisbed—chamber，andthenallbecamesilent。
Nightspreaditspallovertheweary，thesleepers，andtheweeping;
themoonstoodwithsilverylustrehighintheheavens，andilluminatedthesnow—cladsummitsofthemountainsrisingintherearoftheoutbuildingsinWallner"syard。Hourafterhourpassedby，andallremainedsilent;notasoundbroketheholystillnessofnight。
Hourafterhourpassedby;nothingstirredintheyard;thedogsat，asifhehadreallyunderstoodSchroepfel"swords，inthemiddleoftheyard，andstaredsteadfastlyattheprisoner"swindow。Phylaxwatched，asSchroepfelhadgonetobed;Phylaxwatched，anddidnotaverthiseyesfromthewindowonwhichhiswholeattentionseemedtobeconcentrated，forhedidnotstir，hedidnotevendisturbthefliesbuzzingroundhisears;bewasallattentionandvigilance。
Allatoncesomethingoccurredthathadneverhappenedtohimduringhisnocturnalservice;awondrous，appetizingscentwaswaftedtohimonthewingsofthenight—breeze。Phylaxavertedhiseyesforamomentfromthewindowandglancedsearchinglyroundtheyard。
Nothingstirredinit，butthiswonderfulscentofaroastsausagestillimpregnatedtheair，andseemedtogrowevenstrongerandmoretempting;forPhylaxprickeduphisears，raisedhisnose，snuffingeagerlytoinhalethescent，androsefromtheground。Heglancedagainroundtheyard，andthenadvancedafewstepstowardthewindowyonderonthesideofthehouse。Thiswindowwasopen，andthekeennoseofthedogtoldhimthattheappetizingscenthadcomefromit。Allatonce，however，Phylaxstoodstill，asifrememberinghismaster"sorders，andlookedagaintowardtheprisoner"swindow。
Atthismomentalowvoicecalledhim:"Phylax！comehere，Phylax！"
Thedoghesitatednolonger;hehadrecognizedthevoiceofhisfriendandplaymate，ElizaWallner。Withtwotremendousboundshewasatthewindow，and，raisinghimselfup，laidhisforepawsonthewindow—sill，andstretchedouthishead，waitinglonginglyfortheappetizingsausage。
"Come，Phylax，come，"whisperedEliza，andshesteppedbackwiththesausageintotheinterioroftheroom。"Cometome，Phylax，cometome。"
Thetemptationwastoostrong。Phylaxhesitatednolonger;hemovedbackastep，andleapedthroughthewindowintotheroom。
Thewindowwasclosedbehindhimimmediately，andthefour—footedcustodianoftheprisonerwasnowaprisonerhimself。
Theyardwasemptynow。Schroepfelsleptsoundlyinhisbed—chamberup—stairs，andPhylaxwasrevellinginepicureanjoysinthelarder。
Theyardwasemptynow，butnotlong，forthedoorofthehouseopenednoiselessly，andahumanformsteppedout。Foramomentitstoodstillnearthedoor，andtwovoiceswereheardwhisperinginalowtone。
"Good—by，dearestmother，"saidonevoice。"Itistimenow，Imustgo。"
"GodandtheHolyVirginwillprotectyou，dearLizzie，"saidtheothervoice:"forthatwhichyouaregoingtodoisrightandnoble;
andfatherhimselfwillseebeforelongthatyoudidright。Go，Lizzie，andreturnsafely。"
"Ishallbebackateightinthemorning，"whisperedLizzie。"Untilthen，youmustsaynothingaboutit，dearmother，buttellfatherI
wishedtobealoneinmychambertillthewedding—hour。Good—byuntilthen。"
Sheimprintedakissonhermother"slips，andhastenedintotheyard。Thedoorwasclosedsoftly。Atthismomentthechurch—clockstrucktwo。
Elizaglidednoiselesslyacrosstheyardtowardthelargeladderleaningagainstthestable。Shelifteditupwithvigoroushands，carrieditacrosstheyard，andplaceditagainstthedwelling—
house，sothatitstopreachedtheopenwindowoftheprisoner。Sheexaminediftheladderstoodfirm，laidafewstonesatitsfoot，topreventitfromsliding，andthenascendeditwithcat—likeagility，carryingasmallbundleonherarm，whileshehadputdownanotherintheyard。
Nowshehadreachedthecaptain"swindow。
"Areyouawake，sir？"sheasked，inalowvoice。
"Iam，Eliza，"whisperedavoiceinside。"Ihavebeenawakeandwaitingforyouanhour。"
"Takethis，sir，"shesaid，handingthebundleintothewindow。"Itisasuitofclotheswhichyoumustputon。Itismyfather"sholidaydress，foryoumustnotweartheBavarianuniformnow。YoumustputupforafewdayswithbeingdisguisedasaTyrolese。Putitonquickly，andthenwrapupyouruniformintheblanketinwhichIbroughtthesuitofclothes。Butmakehaste，andwhenyouareready，descendtheladder，andcomedownintotheyard，whereI
shallawaityou。Bringthepackagewiththeuniformwithyou，and，aboveallthings，makehaste。"
Shegavethecaptainnotimeforreply，butglidedrapidlyandnoiselesslydowntheladder。Onarrivingintheyard，shetookthehaversackwhichshehadleftthere，hungitoverhershoulder，andtookuptherifle。Thensheseatedherselfquietlyonalargelogclosetotheladder，andlookeduptothemoon，whichilluminatedherfaceandherwholeform。Herfaceworeawonderfullycalmexpression;onlyroundhercrimsonlipsquiveredattimessomethinglikehiddengrief，andatearglistenedinherlarge，darkeyes。Butwhenthistearrolleddownhercheekslowly，Elizashookherheadindignantly，andbrusheditawaywithherhand。
"Foolishgirl！"shemurmured，"howcanyouweepnow？Youmustbravelytakeyourheartinyourhandsnow，andholditsofirmlythatitcanneithercrynortremble。Youmustbeproudandstiff，andneverforgetwhatisduetoyourhonor，andwhatyouowetoyourfriendElza。Therefore，donotweep，butbeabraveTyrolesegirl。
To—morrownightyoumayweepinyourchamber，fornobodywillseeyouthere;butnotto—night—no，no，notto—night！"
Sheshookherheadviolently，forcedherselftosmile，andgazedpleasantlyuptothemoon。"Godblessthee，golden，rapidwanderer！"
shesaid。"Thoushaltaccompanyusto—night，andpray，dearmoon，sendallcloudshome，andremainasbrightandclearasnow;forourrouteisadangerousone，andifthoudostnothelpus，wemayeasilyfallintoanabyss，and——Hush，hush，heiscoming。"
Sheroseandlookeduptothewindow，whencethecaptainemergedatthismoment，andappearedontheladder。
"Throwdownyourpackage，sir——Iwillcatchit，"whisperedEliza。
"Thankyou，Icancarryitmyself，"saidUlrich，inalowvoice;andhewassoonatthefootoftheladder，andstandingintheyardclosetoEliza。
"Nowcome，"shesaid;"treadlightly，anddonotspeak，butgosoftlybehindme。"
Shelefthimnotimeforreply，butwalkedacross，openedthedoorofthesmallshed，whichwasajar，wentquicklythroughit，andpassedthroughtheoppositedoorintotheorchardlyingbehindit。
Shestoodstillinfrontofthedooroftheshed，andwhenUlrichhademergedfromit，shelockedit，andputthekeyintoherpocket。
"Nowletuswalkasfastaspossible，sir，"shewhispered。"Wemustwalkforthreehours。Keepyoureyesonme，andfollowmewhereverI
go。"
"Iwillfollowyou，Eliza，"saidthecaptain，earnestly，"whereveryougo。YouseeIhaveimplicitconfidenceinyou，forIdonotevenaskwhitheryouintendtoconductme，orwhatyouwishtodowithme。Iplacemylifeandmyfutureinyourhands，andshalldowhateveryouwantmeto。"
"Itwillbethebestforyou，"shesaid，noddingherheadslightly。
"Nowcome。"
Andwiththequick，firmsteppeculiartotheTyrolese，sheadvancedthroughthegarden，outofthegate，andintothenarrowpathleadingthroughthevalleyanduptothemountainsrisingontheoppositeside。Themoonstillshonebrightlyuponthevalley，andilluminatedthetwoformsrapidlywalkingbehindeachother，castingtheirlong，darkshadowsonthesideoftheroad。
UlrichyonHohenbergsawinthemoonlightthatElizawascarryingthehaversackandrifle;hethereforeadvancedquicklyuntilhestoodbyherside，andlaidhishandonherarm。
"Eliza，"hesaid，vehemently。"prayletmecarrytherifleandthehaversack;letmetakeyourburdenuponmyself！"
Shelookedathimwithasingularexpression。"Everyonehastocarryhisownburden，"shesaid;"youhaveyours，andIhavemine。"
"Butwhatarethearmsfor，Eliza？Youhavearmedyourselfagainstme？"