looked death in the
face, and am old enough not to fear to stand in such a predicament
again. We are all liable to the common lot of mortals. If anything
happens to me, console my dear child, Bertha!"

"Father!" cried Albert, grasping his hand, "pray do not think of such
things; you will still live long and happy with us!"

"Perhaps so," replied the old man, with a firm voice, "perhaps not. It
were folly in me to beg of you not to risk yourself too much in the
battle; you would not follow my advice; but I pray you to think of
your young wife, and do not rush into danger blindly, and without good
reason. Promise me this."

"I promise! here is my hand; where duty calls me, I cannot shrink from
it; unnecessarily I'll not expose myself; but you, also, my dear
father, must give me the same promise."

"We'll not talk about that at present. If I, by chance, am called out
of this life to-morrow, my last will, which I have placed in the Duke's
hands, will be fulfilled. Lichtenstein will pass into your possession,
and you will be invested with the property. My name will die with me in
the country; may yours live in its remembrance so much the longer!"

The young man was overcome at these last words of his high-minded,
venerable father: he endeavoured to answer him, but the rush of painful
thoughts to his mind prevented all utterance. A known voice at the
moment called him by name. It was the Duke's. He pressed the hand of
his wife's parent, and rode in haste to Ulerich.

"Good morning, Sturmfeder!" said the Duke, who appeared more cheerful;
"I say good morning, for I hear the cock crow in the village. How did
you leave your wife? was she very much overcome when you last saw her?"

"She wept," answered Albert; "but she uttered not a word of complaint."

"Just like her, by Saint Hubertus! we have seldom seen so much
fortitude in a woman. If the night were not quite so dark, I would like
to see in your eye whether your heart is tuned to the battle, and if
you are inclined to close with the Leaguists?"

"Show me but the path I am to follow, and you'll not find me swerve
from it, though it lead into the thickest of the battle. Does your
grace imagine, that, during the few days of my marriage, I have so
totally forgotten the lesson I learnt of you, namely, never to lose
courage in prosperity or adversity?"

"You are right--impavidum ferient ruinae; we expected nothing less
from our faithful banner-bearer; but another must pe