cry of
'tyrant' to be raised everywhere against him. If you have acted from an
overheated zeal of duty, you have this once surpassed the bounds of
discretion."

The chancellor was silent, and satisfied himself by throwing a furious
glance at the young man. The Duke stood up, and said, "You must not
blame my little adviser for his zeal in my cause, which has perhaps
made him act with too much severity in this instance. There, take your
rose-coloured friend with you, give him a glass to expel his ghastly
fear, and then let him go wherever he will. And you, dog of a doctor,
as for you, who are not worthy of the title of dog doctor, a Wuertemberg
gallows is too good for you. You will be hung one of these days, so I
will not give myself the trouble to do it at present. Long Peter, order
your men to bind that fellow on an ass, with his face to the tail, and
lead him through the town, and thence let him be sent to Esslingen, to
his wise counsellors, to whom he and his beast belong. Away with him!"

The features of the wretched doctor, who had hitherto sat in fear of
death, soon cheered up by this happy change in his fate; he breathed
more freely, and made a low bow. Peter, Staberl, and the Magdeburger,
laid hold of him with savage joy, hoisted him on their broad shoulders,
and bore him away.

The scribe of Ulm shed tears of joy, and, impelled by gratitude, wanted
to kiss the Duke's cloak; but he turned away, and waved to Albert to
withdraw his friend.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Stop! stay thy hand, and hear my prayer,--
Ah, do not let it be:
You cannot, must not, will not dare
A deed unworthy thee.
SCHILLER.

The scribe of the grand council of Ulm did not appear to have
sufficiently recovered from his state of terror to answer the many
questions his preserver put to him as they passed along the passages
and galleries. He trembled in all his limbs, his knees shook, and he
often looked back with a feeling of apprehension, lest the Duke should
have repented of his act of grace, and the unmerciful chancellor in the
yellow gown should sneak after him, and suddenly pounce upon him.
Having reached Albert's apartment, he sank exhausted in a chair, and it
was some time before he could collect his thoughts to be able to answer
his friend.

"Your politics, cousin, had well nigh played you a sorry trick,"