Part 10 (1/2)
Albert blushed when this question was put to him. He thought of his love, who was now at Lichtenstein, only a few hours (_stunden_) distant from the university. But he answered composedly, ”I have not hunted much in that neighbourhood; neither have I made many excursions there; but I am generally acquainted with its locality.”
”We have determined,” said Truchses, ”to send a confidential person into that neighbourhood to find out what may be the Duke's intentions upon our approach, and to gain correct information upon the state of the fortifications of the castle of Tubingen, together with the feeling of the people of the surrounding country. Such a person, by prudence and sagacity, may do more harm to the Duke's cause than a hundred hors.e.m.e.n: we have selected you for this service.”
”Me!” cried Albert, in horror.
”You, Albert von Sturmfeder: dexterity and experience are no doubt requisite in such undertakings: but you must look to that; whatever is wanting on your part, in the execution of this piece of service, your head will answer for.”
The effect which this order produced on the young man was visibly depicted on his features. His face turned pale, his eyes became fixed, his lips firmly pressed together. The warning of Bertha flashed across his mind, and struck him with increased force; but, however favourable this opportunity might be to quit the service of the League, he was too much taken by surprise to be able to decide at that moment.
Truchses fidgeted about in his chair, showing evident symptoms of impatience at the young man's hesitation to give an answer: ”Well,” he cried, ”will it come out soon? what are you thinking about so long?”
”Spare me this commission,” said Albert, at length, but not without dread; ”I cannot, I dare not undertake it.”
The old men looked at each other in astonishment, as if they did not trust their ears. ”You dare not, you cannot,” Truchses repeated slowly, a deep red at the same time mounting up to his eyes, and colouring his forehead, the forerunner of rising anger.
Albert immediately perceived he had been too hasty in his expression; he recovered himself, and spoke with more composure: ”I proffered my services to the League for the glory of honourable fight, not to steal into the enemy's country in the ignominious guise of a spy, to discover by secrecy and treachery what is not to be obtained openly. It is true, I am young and inexperienced; but this much I know, that I am answerable to myself alone for the propriety of my conduct. Who among you, as a father, would advise his son to commence his military career in the dishonourable garb of a spy?”
Truchses contracted his dark eyebrows into a frown, and shot a penetrating glance at the young man, who had ventured to entertain an opinion so different to his own. ”What are you thinking about, sir?” he cried, ”your opinion has nothing to do here; the question is, not whether your conscience will allow you to execute our orders--it treats of obedience to our commands, which we insist upon, and which you _must_ submit to.”
”And I will not,” replied the young man, with a resolute voice. He felt his courage increase every moment, in proportion as the insulting tone of Waldburg excited his anger. He even hoped Truchses might persist in his offensive manner; for it would strengthen him still more in his resolve, and fully justify his determination to quit their service.
”Yes, yes!” laughed Waldburg, in sarcastic rage, ”to ride about alone in the enemy's country is certainly a dangerous undertaking. Ha, ha!
These are your fine-spoken gentlemen, proffering head and arm, with high-sounding words and lofty looks; but, when it comes to the point, if any service is required of them which is attended with danger, their hearts fail them. But one generation resembles the other; the apple does not fall far from its stem; and where there is nothing to be gained, the Emperor has lost his rights.”
”If those words be meant as a reflection on my father,” answered Albert, irritated, ”there are witnesses sitting here, who can vouch that he lives in their memory as a brave man. You think to have achieved sufficient renown to warrant your taking the liberty of undervaluing the merits of others.”
”Shall such a downy chin prescribe to me what I shall say?” interrupted Waldburg. ”But an end to this trash. I want to know, youngster, whether or not you will saddle your horse to-morrow, and follow our orders?”
”Truchses von Waldburg,” answered Albert, with more composure than he thought himself master of, ”your arrogant language only convinces me how little you know the way to address a gentleman, who has tendered his services to the League with honourable motives, and who is the son of a brave father. You have addressed me in the name of the League, as president of this council, and have insulted me, as if I were its greatest enemy. I have, therefore, no other answer to give, than, in following your orders, to saddle my horse; but I now most decidedly declare, a.s.suredly no longer in your service. My honour forbids my remaining under your colours; I therefore p.r.o.nounce myself henceforth free and unshackled from you for ever;--farewell.”
The young man spoke with vigour and firmness, and turned around to depart.
”Albert,” called Fronsberg, springing from his seat, ”son of my friend!--”
”Not so rash, young man,” cried the rest, and cast looks of disapprobation at Waldburg; but Albert walked out of the apartment without looking back; the iron latch of the door rang sharply as it fell; heavy oaken pannels lay between him and the recall of the better-intentioned members of the council, and separated Albert von Sturmfeder for ever from the Swabian League.
CHAPTER X.
Oh, when, enveloped in a night of grief, Thy wounded heart can nowhere find relief; When the sun plunges in the western sea, Ah, let the star of love not set to thee.
P. CONY.
Albert felt much relieved when he got to his room, and reflected on what had just happened. He rejoiced that the weight which had oppressed his mind ever since he promised to quit the service of the League, was now removed, in a way which could not have been more _a propos_, and which he conceived to be every way honourable to his feelings. He determined, therefore, without delay, to leave Ulm, letting Truchses take all the blame of this step to himself.
How rapidly had everything changed in the last four days! how different were his feelings when he first entered the town, from those which were about to drive him from its walls! At that time, when the thunder of cannon, mingling with the deep tolling of the church bells, celebrated the entrance of the League's troops, and the animating sound of trumpets saluted his ear, seeming to give applause to the part he had taken in the coming straggle; how his heart then beat for the opportunity of proving himself worthy of his love! And when he was first presented to Fronsberg, how elevated and encouraging was the thought of emulating the reputation of his father, and reaping praise under the eye of that great commander! But now, all those bright hopes were blasted. He had learned the intentions of the League. Excited by motives of sordid interest and cupidity, their only object was plunder.
He blushed to draw his sword in such a cause:--the brilliancy with which his youthful imagination had coloured his future prospects was gone for ever. And then again, how painful the thought of being opposed to Bertha's father, the faithful friend of the unfortunate Duke, perchance to encounter him in the struggle. It would break his love's heart, which beat so true for him. ”No!” said he, looking up to heaven, in grat.i.tude, ”all has been ordained for my good. Upon any other who had stood in my situation this day, destruction might have fallen, but I have been saved!” In thankfulness for the mercies apparently vouchsafed to him, he cast away the gloomy forebodings with which his mind had been haunted; his natural cheerfulness returned, and he sang a song as merrily as in his former happy mood.
Herr von Kraft beheld him with astonishment, as he entered the room.
”Well, that is curious,” said he; ”I hastened home to console my guest in his distress, and find him merrier than ever: how do these two things rhyme together?”