the mind under such circumstances. I feel convinced that I must
die for him one of these days; and then I pray you take care of my wife
and child."

A tear fell on his beard; but, as if ashamed of his weakness, he
hastily wiped it away, and continued: "Could but the sacrifice of my
life ward off the impending danger which surrounds him--could my death
erase that unfortunate oath of allegiance, which he has imposed on the
country, and replace him in the hearts of his people; I would willingly
die in that hour!"

The Duke awoke. He raised himself up, and surveyed the surrounding
rocks and trees, with his companions seated around the faint glimmering
of burning embers, with astonishment, as if he had been transported by
magic to this wild spot. Covering his face with his hands, and then
gazing about him again, to convince himself whether the appearance of
these objects were reality or not, he first glanced at one and then at
another with painful feelings. "I have this day lost my country again,"
said he, "but that event has not given me so much trouble as I feel at
this moment, for I dreamt I re-possessed it, and saw it in higher bloom
than ever. Alas, it was but a dream!"

"You must not be ungrateful, sir," said Maxx Stumpf von Schweinsberg,
raising himself from his bent position: "be not unthankful for nature's
kindness. Think how much more miserable you would have been, if in
sleep, which should give you renewed strength to bear the burden of
your misfortunes, you had still felt the weight of them. When you laid
down to rest, you were overcome by the fatal result of the day, but now
your features assume a kindlier and milder appearance; have we not,
then, cause to be thankful for your soothing dream?"

"I would I had never seen the day again!" replied Ulerich. "Oh, that I
could have been lost in the pleasures of that same dream for centuries,
and then have come to life again,--it was so beautiful, so consoling!"

He laid his head on his hand, and appeared oppressed with grief. The
conversation roused the knight of Lichtenstein. He was acquainted with
the character of Ulerich, and knew the necessity of not allowing him to
give way to his feelings, and, particularly at this critical moment,
not to let him brood over the terrible loss he had sustained; he
therefore drew nearer to him, and said:

"Well, sir, perhaps you will tell us what you dreamt of? It may,
perchance, afford your friends some consolation also; for