l allow it to die out, like the Pumpernickels, the
Snaphausens, and the Ollenstoffenburgers? No, boy. I sent for you to
tell you that I have contracted for your hand with my friend the Baron
Von Steinberg."

"Really, sir, you dispose of me in a very cavalier way."

"That's because you're too careless or lazy to look out for yourself,"
retorted the baron. "But then you can have no possible objection to
the present match. The fair Julia is just twenty--eyes, you dog--lips,
you rascal--a shape, you blockhead, to bewitch an anchorite. And then
she has the gelt--the money, my boy."

"A commodity of which I happen to be minus," said the soldier.

"Arn't you my heir?" asked the baron.

"You are very kind," said the hussar, with a slight sigh.

He glanced at Adelaide, but he read no sentiment on her calm and
pensive countenance.

"She's as cold as a glacier on the Donderberg!" he muttered to
himself.

"Well, sir--you haven't given me an answer," said the baron,
impatiently.

"My dear uncle," said the soldier, jumping up, and snatching his
fowling-piece, "it's a glorious morning for sport; and I'm much
mistaken if I don't add a half dozen brace of birds to your bill of
fare to-day."

"But the fair Julia Von Steinberg?" said the baron.

"O! I forgot," said Rudolph. "I'm entirely in your hands. Do with me
as you please. My profession, you know, has given me habits of
obedience. I suppose I must sacrifice myself. Good morning."

And away he went to enjoy his sport upon the mountains.

"Young, lovely, and rich!" said poor Adelaide, with a sigh, when she
had regained her room. "If this be true, she is indeed worthy of
Ernstein. He will love her--they will be happy--and I--I can but wish
them joy, and die."

There was great preparation in the castle Von Rosenburg, that day
week, for the reception of the prospective bride. Every thing was
cleaned and furbished up, from battlement to dungeon keep. An old flag
with the family arms was hoisted from the rampart, and the butler, who
had served in the wars of the Alliance, mounted an old swivel on the
ramparts with the intention of firing it off, on the approach of the
old family carriage of the Von Steinbergs, Captain Rudolph Von
Ernstein, in his splendid hussar uniform, looked the beau ideal of a
soldier lover. Even the baron was rejuvenated by a court suit that had
not seen the light since the nuptials of Maria Louisa and the Emperor
Napoleon.

At last the carriage ap