of Lichtenstein; "and
have you maturely considered what will be the consequences of this act?
Did you not swear but a few years ago to the Tuebingen compact?"

"Tuebingen!" cried the Duke with a terrible voice, his eyes flashing the
fire of indignation; "Tuebingen! mention that word no more! In that vile
city were centred all my hopes, my country, my children,--ha! and on
that spot was I betrayed and sold. I begged, I implored them to hold
out to the last; I was ready to share my property, my blood with them
in its defence; but no! they would not hear of Ulerich, nor listen to
his voice. They preferred the new order of things; they suffered me to
linger in the misery of banishment, and caused the name of Wuertemberg
to become the contempt and derision of all the world. But now that I am
lord and master again, with my sword in my hand, I'll not allow it to
be wrenched a second time from my grasp. If they have forgotten their
oath, by Saint Hubertus, my memory is also equally treacherous. The
Tuebingen compact, did you say? May dire necessity confound every thing
connected with that name!"

"But recollect, your grace!" said Lichtenstein, staggered at this burst
of passion; "think of the impression such a step will make throughout
the country. At this moment you have only Stuttgardt and its
neighbourhood in your possession; whereas Urach, Asperg, Tuebingen, and
Goeppingen, have all Leaguist garrisons. Will the country people; stand
by you to drive them out, when they become acquainted with the new
ordinance to which they are to swear allegiance?"

"I maintain it," said the Duke; "did the country stand by me when I was
forced to turn my back upon Wuertemberg? No! they saw me hunted down
like a wild beast, and sided with the League!"

"Pardon me, my Lord Duke," replied the old man; "but that is not the
case. I recollect well that day in Blaubeuren. Who held to you on that
occasion, when the Swiss deserted you? who implored you not to leave
the country? who offered to sacrifice their lives in your cause? It was
eight thousand Wuertembergers! Have you forgotten that day?"

"Ay-ay! most worthy sir," said the chancellor, who was aware what an
impression these remarks were likely to make on Ulerich; "ay! but
that's nothing to the purpose. Besides, we have not to legislate upon
what took place at that time, but upon the actual state of affairs. The
country has completely absolved itself of the former oath, by swearing
allegia