our thousand stout hearts, in complete
armor, their hungry stomachs tightly compressed under their coats of
mail, were standing by.

The king now appeared in majestic dignity, wearing a short silk body
coat instead of his royal robes. At a signal from him the servants
placed the people at the tables. After a short prayer, full of unction,
he nodded graciously to the multitude and the repast began.

After the first course had been consumed, the roasted meats were
removed, and the flagons began to circulate.

'This is a strange sort of a holy supper,' whispered Alf to Hanslein,
as he passed a full jug to him.

'It appears to be only the introduction,' whispered Hanslein in answer.
'It is a sort of love feast, such as was customary with the old
christians. Have but a little patience, the best is yet to come.'

No sooner were the meats gone, than the king again approached the
assembly. He was accompanied by two pages of honor, who brought the
holy bread upon golden plates. 'Take and eat,' said he, with earnest
solemnity, 'in commemoration of the Lord's death!' Thus saying, he went
through the long ranks, breaking the bread to every man, who received
it with great devotion. Hanslein, who best knew the worthiness of the
new high priest, was not able to suppress a satirical laugh, when his
turn came. After the king, followed the first queen, the beautiful
widow of Matthias, in a simple white dress, the golden chalice in her
hand, accompanied by the second and third queens, who brought golden
vessels of wine after her.

As she came to Alf for the purpose of presenting the chalice to him,
she started back in soft confusion, surprised at the beauty of the
youth, whose dark curling locks contrasted finely with his blooming
face and true German eyes. Alf, also, paralysed by the appearance of
such wonderful beauty as he had never before seen, remained motionless.
Here were more than Eliza's and Clara's united charms, and the
_tout-ensemble_ seemed to approach perfection. Large, full and
voluptuous, an ideality in form, arose her stately figure. Her queenly
bosom, upon which her brown locks were restlessly waving, shamed the
whiteness of her dress; and her alabaster neck was surmounted by a
cherub head, whose deep blue interrogating eyes spoke so plainly of
soft wishes and glowing desires, that Alf's senses were wrapped in a
flame.

'Take and drink!' murmured the sweet vision, presenting the chalice,
with trembling hands. Th