lmen, under a
strong guard, the tailor-king whom you took prisoner.'

'Is not my marriage a sufficient excuse?' asked Alf dejectedly.

'With the bishop, hardly,' whispered Oberstein to him. 'Man-service
goes before God-service with these proud prelates--and we have already,
on account of the poor Munsterers, every motive to keep him in as good
a humor as possible. It will be fortunate if he satiate his anger upon
the wretch whom you are about to conduct to him.'

'Poor little Clara,' sighed Alf, printing a passionate and sorrowful
kiss upon the lips of the maiden.

'He named you and thought of himself,' said Oberstein, jestingly; 'but
in order that the happy couple may not be separated on this first day
of their espousal, I will ride out to Dulmen and endeavor to get you
excused by the lord bishop.'

'You are very good!' said the little bride, bending over the hand of
the gray old general and pressing it to her lips.

CHAPTER XXIX.

At Dulmen, in the hall of state, sat the prince-bishop upon his gilded
throne. On each side of him were placed his counsellors and field
officers. At a table covered with rich red cloth, sat two secretaries
with ready pens. Oberstein had announced the tailor-king, and after a
short conversation with the bishop resumed his place. The bishop made a
signal--the guards opened the door, and, accompanied by Alf, Johannes
entered, loaded with chains and very pale; but with a proud and solemn
bearing, casting round upon the assembly his wild, impudent and bold
glance.

'That is the murderer of my son,' sighed the bishop in a suppressed
tone to Oberstein, covering his face with his hands from grief and
horror.

'Remember that you are here as a prince and judge, and not as a party,'
whispered Oberstein in return.

The bishop recovered himself with difficulty. 'Wretched man,' cried he
vehemently to the criminal: 'wherefore hast thou ruined my defenceless
people?'

'I have not done less than you deserve, priest!' answered Johannes, as
proudly as if Zion's crown had yet stood upon his head. 'I have given
into thy hand a strong city which can stand against every power.
Nevertheless if I have injured you I have sufficient means to make you
reparation, in case you will but follow my counsels.'

'Wretch!' growled the bishop, 'how wilt thou compensate for a single
drop of the innocent blood which thou hast caused to flow in streams?'

'Human blood,' said J