lse, to allow me the liberty to shoot my fox without being
punished as a poacher. He laughed, and said I might do it, but that was
no act of grace, I must demand something else. Well, I took courage,
and said, I beg of your grace not to put too much confidence in the
crafty chancellor, for it is my opinion he is false at heart."

"That's just what I think," cried Albert; "he looked as if he wanted to
spy into my most inward thoughts with those green eyes of his; but what
answered the Duke?"

"'You understand nothing upon such subjects,' was his reply, and became
angry; and added, 'you may be a faithful and sure guide among clefts
and caverns, but the chancellor understands state intrigues better than
you.' It may be," added the fifer, "that I am wrong in my conjectures;
I hope so, for the Duke's sake. So now farewell, sir; may God protect
you! Amen."

"Will you really go, and not remain for my wedding?" said Albert. "I
expect the knight of Lichtenstein and his daughter here to-day. Stay a
day or two longer: you were our messenger of love, and ought not to
desert us at this happy moment."

"Of what use can a poor man like me be at the wedding of a knight? I
might, indeed, sit among the musicians, and take part in the music in
honour of the happy event; but others can do it as well as me, and my
house requires my presence."

"Well then, farewell," said Albert; "give my salutations to your wife
and Barbelle, and visit us often in Lichtenstein. God be with you!"

A tear filled the eye of the young man as he gave the peasant a hearty
parting shake of the hand, for he had always found him an honest
trustworthy man, a faithful servant of the Duke, a bold companion in
danger, and cheerful society in misfortune. He was about asking many
questions concerning the mysterious life which this man followed, for
he was particularly curious to know the cause of his extraordinary
attachment to the Duke, but he suppressed them out of delicacy to his
feelings. The natural greatness of mind which characterised the fifer
of Hardt, though he were a common peasant, awed him into silence
touching those subjects which his friend had always appeared to wish to
avoid.

"But, I have one thing more to say," said Hans, as he was going: "do
you know that your old friend and future cousin-in-law, von Kraft, is
here?"

"The scribe to the council? how did he come here? he's a Leaguist!"

"He is here, nevertheless, and not in the most agreeable