edly is to
prepare the baroness, and not to leave her during the next few hours."

"My mother! my poor mother!" cried Lenore, clasping her hands, laying
down the powder-flask, and hurrying to the neighboring room.

"I have set all the men eating," said Anton to Fink. "From this moment
you must take the command."

"Good," replied Fink. "Here are your arms; this double-barrel is light;
one barrel loaded with ball, the other with slugs. The bag of bullets is
under your bed."

"You think of standing a siege, then?" inquired Anton.

"We must either not seek to defend ourselves at all, but surrender at
the friendly discretion of the approaching band, or we must hold out to
our last bullet. We are all prepared for the latter course; perhaps
surrender would be the wiser, but I own it does not suit my taste. As
there is a master of the house, however, still extant, he may decide; go
to the baron."

Anton hurried through the passage to the other wing. Even when at a
distance he could hear the chairs knocked about in the baron's room.
There was an angry "Come in," and he entered. The baron was standing in
the middle of the room, highly excited. "I hear," said he, "that there
is something going on. I must consider it an unpardonable want of
attention that I have not been apprised of it."

"Your pardon, baron," replied Anton; "we only heard a few minutes ago
that a band of the enemy's cavalry and scythe-bearers was moving on
toward your property. We sent off a messenger in all speed to the
nearest military station, then bolted the door, and now we wait your
orders."

"Send me Herr von Fink," replied the baron, authoritatively.

"He is at this moment in the guard-room."

"I beg that he will take the trouble of coming to me at once," cried the
angry nobleman. "I can not discuss military matters with you. Fink is a
gentleman, and half a soldier; I will give all necessary instructions to
him. What are you waiting for?" rudely continued he. "Do you young
people suppose that you are to trifle with me because I have the
misfortune to be blind? He at least whom I feed and pay shall respect my
commands."

"Father!" cried Lenore, on the threshold, looking imploringly at Anton.

"You are right, baron," replied Anton; "I crave your forgiveness for
having in the hurry of the moment forgotten my first duty. I will send
Herr von Fink here at once." Then hastening off, he made his friend
acquainted with the baron's angry mood.

"He