n in this country about government in general are a little
disturbed."

"The Polish Central Committee is your as well as my government," replied
the rider.

"You are very good-natured in allowing a Central Committee to dispose of
your heads; you will allow us, however, to hold a different opinion on
this particular point."

"You see that we have the means to enforce obedience to the orders of
government, and I advise you not by opposition to provoke us to use
force."

"I thank you for this advice, and should be still more obliged if, in
your zeal for your duty, you would not forget that the ground on which
you stand is not public, but private property, and that strange horses
are only allowed to exercise thereon by the consent of the proprietor,
which, so far as I know, you have not obtained."

"We have had words enough, sir," cried the rider, impatiently; "if you
are really authorized to represent the proprietor, I require you to
open this castle to us without delay, and to deliver up your arms."

"Alas!" replied Fink, "I am under the unpleasant necessity of refusing
your request. I would add a hope that you, together with the gentry in
shabby boots ranged behind you there, will leave this place as soon as
possible. My young folk are just going to see whether they can hit the
molehills under your feet. We should be sorry if the bare toes of your
companions were to be hurt. Begone, sir!" cried he, suddenly changing
his careless tone to one of such vehement anger and scorn that the
Pole's horse reared, and he himself laid his hand on the pistols at his
holster.

During this conversation the rest of the horsemen and the infantry had
drawn nearer to catch the words.

More than once a barrel had been lowered, but they had always been
pushed back by a few riders in advance of the ranks. At Fink's last
words, a wild-looking figure in an old frieze jacket took aim, a shot
was heard, and the bullet flew past Fink's cheek, and struck the door
behind him. At the same moment a suppressed scream was heard, a flash
seen on the top of the tower, and the luckless marksman fell to the
ground. The man who had conducted the parley turned his horse, the
assailants all fell back, and Fink closed the door. As he turned round,
Lenore stood on the first flight of the stairs, the recently-discharged
gun in her hand, her large eyes fixed wildly upon him. "Are you
wounded?" cried she, beside herself.

"Not at all, my faithful comrade