pot, for this personal outrage. Have the goodness
to follow me to the door.'

The captain, who, like many a bragadocio, hid the ears of the ass under
the skin of the lion, stood utterly confused before the angry youth, in
whom he had very unexpectedly found his match. At length he motioned
his orderly to retire. 'It is not possible for me to accept your
invitation to-night; but early in the morning we will speak further
upon this matter,' said he with constrained courtesy to Dorn, and
immediately left the room.

'We shall not be able to start before noon, in this way,' said Dorn,
with some little vexation. 'Meanwhile, have the goodness, madam Rosen,
to pack the best and most necessary articles which you may wish to take
with you, to-night.'

'Ah, that would prove a fruitless trouble, my dear sir!' exclaimed the
widow. 'The captain is now highly incensed, and I believe he would
strike the horses dead before the carriage, sooner than let us go.'

'I trust some one higher than he can be found here,' said Dorn. 'When
matters come to the worst, I can speak to the duke himself.'

'God preserve you from that!' cried the widow. 'He is indeed a
passionate, tyrannical man, who will not tolerate even the sparrows
upon his roof. He directly hangs every one who makes the least
opposition to him. He strung up a poor apothecary's apprentice for
making too much noise in his neighborhood with his pestle and mortar,
and a poor child because it cried in its mother's arms.'

'I nevertheless doubt not he will suffer me to live,' said Dorn, with a
smile. 'I have seen the white of his eye at Dessau, and was not
frightened. Therefore dismiss your fears and pack up as quick as you
can. I shall start at one in the afternoon to-morrow. I have promised
your daughter to be in Schweidnitz on new-year's eve, and will keep my
word.'

He was about to take his leave; but the widow held him fast by both his
hands.

'No,' cried she, anxiously, 'I will not let you go. I thank God for
sending a manly protector to my house in these evil times, and should
die with fear if compelled to sleep alone under the same roof with that
monster, now that he is irritated. No, you remain with us. My daughter
shall prepare the little guest-chamber for you, and I will mix your
evening draught.'

'I would not be troublesome to you,' said Dorn, 'at a time when your
house is already occupied by other guests.'

'It is, indeed, and by those who are uninvited and unw