selves for a paltry stake. Come along."

"Do as he wishes, to avoid strife," whispered Althea; "but get away
from him as soon as you can."

"So be it then," said Tausdorf to Francis, and shook hands with Althea.
In the mean time, Schindel had taken his leave of the other guests, and
now first perceived what was going on. Alarmed, he drew Tausdorf to the
window:--"You are not going to walk with Francis?"

"Why not?" replied the knight calmly: "He has asked me in a friendly
manner, and Althea, too, wishes it."

"For God's sake don't get too familiar with the drunkard; above all, go
not with him alone. He has no good intentions to-day."

"You carry your foresight too far, dear uncle," returned Tausdorf,
girding on his sword; "Francis is an honest soldier, and, I can plainly
see, well inclined to me. It is impossible he should have any design
against me. Besides, I have already promised him my company, and
therefore it must be so at all events."

"I have spoken and discharged my conscience," cried Schindel. "God
avert all accidents!"

"Come then, brother, come," urged Francis, pulling the knight's arm.

"Adieu, dear Althea," said Tausdorf, and again shook the hand of his
intended bride, who looked at him with a loving farewell. On a sudden
the tears burst from her eyes, and, forgetful of those about them, she
fell upon his neck.

"Farewell!" she cried, with stifled voice:--"God grant that I may see
you again!"

"Without doubt before evening," said Francis laughing, and hurried out
his companion.

"I don't like his going," observed Schindel, as he took his niece's arm
and led her away.

"They are gone then!" said Christopher to himself: "As for the rest,
that will come in time too."

Tausdorf and Francis went out together towards the Peter's-thor, the
city gate, followed at a distance by Martin Heubert, Tausdorf's boy,
and his page, Schmidt, who had waited for their master at the door of
the banqueting-house. In the heart of Francis fermented the poison
which the gipsy had poured into it, but he still restrained his wrath,
and walked in silence by the side of Tausdorf. In this way they came to
the Park, between the two gates--the Peter's-thor and Nieder-thor,--in
the way to the bowling-green, when Tausdorf, tired of the silent walk,
and with the view of showing a friendly sympathy with Francis, said to
him, "You are a soldier like myself, Frank; you too, therefore, must
have found that the pains and dangers