use by the time we return to our country. And you, lady! how can
I reward your kindnesses? You deprived yourself many a night of rest,
to open the door for me and shelter me against treachery! Do not blush
so, as if you had some great sin to confess, this being the moment to
act. Venerable father," said he, turning to the knight of Lichtenstein,
"I appear before you as the intercessor of a couple of loving hearts.
You will not disdain the son-in-law whom I propose to you?"

"I do not understand you, gracious Lord," said the knight, looking with
astonishment at his daughter.

The Duke took Albert's hand, and led him to the old man. "This young
man loves your daughter, and she is not indifferent to him,--what think
you of making them a happy couple? But what means that frown of
displeasure? Is he not high born, a gallant antagonist, the strength of
whose arm I have already experienced, and now become my support in the
hour of need?"

Bertha cast her eyes down, her face was suffused with blushes, she
trembled for the reply of her father, who looked sternly at the young
man. "Albert," said he, "I have had a high opinion of you since the
first moment I saw you; it had been, perhaps, not so favourable, had I
been aware of the object which brought you to my house."

The youth was about to make an answer, but the Duke interrupted him.
"You forget that it was I who sent him to you with my seal and
letter--he came not of his own accord. But what are you thinking of so
long? I will adopt him as my son, and reward him with a property which
will make you proud to call him your son-in-law."

"Do not trouble yourself further upon this point, my Lord Duke," said
Albert, indignantly, when he noticed the indecision of the knight of
Lichtenstein. "It shall never be said of me, that the heir of the
Sturmfeders begged for a wife, and obtruded his importunity to gain the
consent of a father against his free will. My name is too dear to me to
resort to such means." He was about to leave the room in displeasure,
but the old knight held him by the hand: "Hot-headed youth," he cried,
"restrain your impetuosity? there, take her, she is yours, but--you
must not think of leading her home, so long as an enemy's banner floats
over the towers of Stuttgardt. Be faithful to the Duke, help him to
return to his country, and if you continue true to his cause, the day
that you enter the gates of the capital, when Wuertemberg shall see her
ensigns float