waving and glistening up the
street, and in serried ranks the troops came marching into the public
square. 'Halt! order arms!' was now echoed by the commanders. The
muskets and halberds rattled upon the stone pavement with a dull crash,
the music ceased, and the silent and motionless soldiers remained
standing by their arms. Only a malicious smile, which played upon their
dark faces, and the restless and inquisitive movements of their
twinkling eyes, gave them any appearance of being aught but lifeless
statues.

Katharine and Faith, pale as ghosts, followed by their mother, now
burst into the room. The children, naturally excited by these unusual
occurrences, crowded in after them, to get a better view of what was
going forward.

'Have the Lichtensteins turned back?' simultaneously asked or rather
shrieked the three women, as Fessel directed their attention to the
human masses in the public square. 'My end has come,' groaned the
matron, sinking down upon a seat. The children hastened to the window,
and in their innocent ignorance right heartily enjoyed the view of the
brilliant uniforms, splendid standards and glistening arms of the
soldiers.

'Children,' said Fessel calmly, 'lamentations and complainings cannot
help us. Let us not, in the present emergency, lose our presence of
mind, which in times of misfortune is the greatest misfortune. I will
go to the compting-room, and as far as possible during the short time
that remains to us, place my property in safety. My Katharine will
hastily collect the most valuable of our things, and conceal them in
the under cellar. I will afterwards see what course is required for our
personal safety. My mother and sister-in-law must meanwhile prepare for
the quartering of the soldiers. As a well conditioned merchant, and a
warden of the evangelical church, I may expect that a full share of
them will be assigned to my house.'

'It is fortunate that we have a repast already provided for them,'
sighed Katharine, seeking, among a bunch hanging at her girdle, for the
key of the plate closet.

'Provided for the betrothal-feast of our good sister!' said Fessel,
compassionately caressing the cold cheek of the maiden. 'Poor child!
they will leave you little enjoyment of it to-day.'

'Only see!' cried little Hedwig at the window, 'the officers are all
crowding around a tall stately chief, and our alderman Newmann is
standing near him with uncovered head and a great number of slips of