ered bowing, followed by Axel, who,
unarmed, and in a respectful manner, brought in writing materials.

"In the name of my noble master I am to have the honour of treating
with you, gallant sir," said he in a submissive tone; "we have only a
few just conditions to propose, which I beg your gracious permission to
state."

"Granted," said the colonel, casting an expressive look at the
Fraeulein, which told her it was only on her account that he granted any
conditions whatever. The magister began to read the following
propositions: "Unconditional amnesty for the past night; liberty for
religion and her servants until the fate of this country is decided;
exemption from all contributions under whatever name or pretext they
may be demanded."

"Great demands," interrupted the colonel.

"In return, Baron Von Starschedel grants to the troops of his imperial
majesty the right of garrison in his castle," continued Talander.

"But only to the regiment of Tiefenbach," interrupted Axel, hastily.
"It is best disciplined, and the promise which your general has given
us in writing is a security of the capitulation being kept."

With angry astonishment the stranger looked at the insolent groom.
Tugendreich and Talander showed consternation. The magister broke the
silence by saying, "The hasty interruption of this young man reminds me
of two important points which my old head had forgotten; I therefore
hasten to supply them."

While the magister was writing, Tugendreich observed, in a gentle tone,
as she suddenly became conscious of the influence of her sex, "So
gallant a man as the colonel will certainly do his utmost to concede
such reasonable conditions."

"What would I not do, for a kind look from those eyes?" said he
tenderly, and he took from Talander's hands the points he had written
down, made a military bow to the Fraeulein, cast a look of contempt on
Axel as he departed, and was soon seen to gallop through the gate.

A quarter of an hour had scarcely elapsed, when the chains of the
drawbridge and the creaking of the gate were heard again, and the
colonel gallopped into the court-yard, waving the signed capitulation
on high as a banner of peace. With great respect and delight, the
baron went to meet him at the castle entrance, and the welcome officer
dismounted with graceful ease from his charger, giving the bridle with
a haughty contempt into Axel's hands, evidently to make him conscious
of the respect which was du