d."

Bertha's eyes lighted up more brilliantly than ever, as she beheld her
lover, whose cheeks glowed with the ardour of youth, and whose looks
bespoke the fire of his noble spirit.

"My Lord Duke," said he, "I proffered hand and arm in your service,
when we met in the cavern, when I knew not who you were, and you did
not refuse them. I aspire not to have a voice in council--but as you
value a heart which beats faithful to you, an eye that will watch over
you when you sleep, or an arm that will stand between you and your
enemies, take me with you, and let me follow your fortune."

The noble feelings which had at first attached the young man to the
"man without a name," now animated his breast, and the consideration of
the Duke's misfortune, which he bore with such dignified magnanimity,
added to the encouraging glance of his beloved, fed the flame of
enthusiasm and devotion to the Duke's cause, and irresistibly threw him
at his feet.

The old knight of Lichtenstein looked at his young guest with the
joyous pride of a father; the Duke beheld him with emotion, and taking
his hand, raised him from his knee and kissed his forehead.

"Where such hearts beat for us," said he, "we have still fortresses and
walls to shelter us, and cannot bewail our poverty. You possess my love
and esteem, Albert von Sturmfeder; you shall accompany me; I accept
your faithful service with joy. Maxx Stumpf von Schweinsberg, I shall
require your aid in more important business than to protect my body; I
have a commission for you to execute in Hohentwiel and Switzerland. I
cannot accept your company, good and faithful Lichtenstein. I honour
you as a father, for your kindness to me has been such. You opened your
door to me every night. I will repay it. When I return to my country,
with God's help and will, your voice shall be the first in council."

The Duke's eye fell upon the fifer of Hardt, who stood aloof in humble
retirement. "Come here, thou faithful man!" he called to him, and gave
him his right hand, "you once were guilty of a great crime, but you
have repented of it sincerely, and by faithful service regained my
confidence."

"To attempt another's life is not so soon expiated," said the peasant,
with downcast looks: "I am still in your grace's debt, but I will
requite it when the time comes."

"Go to your home--such is my will--follow your occupations as
heretofore. Perhaps you may be able to collect some faithful hearts in
our ca