\"No，myfriend，no，wewillnotdoso，\"whisperedAndreas，drawinghimback。\"OurfaithfulandbravebrotherRed—beardhasbeensolongawakeandatworkthatwemustlethimrest，anditwouldbeverywronginustoarousehimfromhissleep。Letusdeferdinner，therefore，untilSpeckbacherishere，anduntilHaspingerhassleptenough。\"
\"Butyousaidyouwerehungry，Andreas——Whydoyouwanttowait，then？Whydoyounotdinenowandlettheothertwodineafterward？
Youarecommander—in—chief，thehighestofficerofall，andtheymustdoasitsuitsyou，andyoumustnotdoasitsuitsthem。\"
\"Donotrepeatsuchnonsense，\"criedAndreas，vehemently。
\"Iamcommander—in—chiefonlybecauseitisnecessarythatthereshouldbeonetoholdthewholetogetherlestitshouldfallasunder。ThatiswhatFatherHaspingersaid，anditistrue。ButeventhoughIamcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，Iamnotcommander—in—chiefofmyfriendsinmyintimateintercoursewiththem。Allthreeofushaveworkedtothebestofourpowerforthefatherland，andIhavenotdonemorethanSpeckbacherortheCapuchin。Itistrue，Iamhungry，butIshallnotgotodinnerwithoutmyfriends;moreover，itisgoodthattheyarenothereyet，andthatIhavealittletimeleft。ThecravingsofmystomachmademealmostforgetmydutytoGod，andbytheabsenceofmyfriendsHeremindsmethatIoweHimsomethingandmustcometoHim。Keepyourfinesoup，therefore，alittlewhile，Niederkircher;Iwill，inthemeantime，gotothechurchoftheFranciscanstoreporttheretotheLordasHisfaithfulservantandsoldier。\"
HetookhisblackTyrolesehat，descendedhastilythestaircase，andwentintothestreet。HehadnotnoticedthedissatisfiedairofNiederkircher，andthefactthattheinnkeeperhadnoteventhankedhimforhisgreeting;forallhisthoughtswerenowfixeduponGod，andhereproachedhimselfcontritelywithalmostforgettingGod，owingtothecravingsofhisstomach。
\"Forgiveme，myLordandGod，\"hemurmured，onenteringthegloomynaveofthechurch，\"fornotcomingtoTheeatonce！\"
Hewalkeduptheaislewithanoiseless，hurriedstep，inordernottodisturbtheworshippers，tooneofthesmallaltars，beforewhichhekneltdowndevoutly。
\"HereIam，myLordandGod，\"hemurmured，claspinghishands，\"torenderhomagetoTheeandthankTheefordeliveringusfromtheenemyandgrantingvictorytous。IthankTheeforitfromthebottomofmyheart，forThymercywaswithus，andThoudidstleadusasatruegeneral。Guideushenceforthlikewise，myLordandGod，andstandbyThyfaithfulservant，thathemaynotfailinthedifficulttaskwhichhehasnowtakenuponhimself。Lord，ThouknowestthatvanityandpridedonotpromptmetobecomemorethanI
oughttobe;ThouknowestthatIwouldratherbequietlyathomewithmywifeandchildren，thanplaythedistinguishedgentlemanhereandassumeanaristocratictitle。ButtheCapuchin，whoiswiserthanI，saysitmustbeso，andImustbecommander—in—chief。
Hence，Isubmitpatiently，andconsenttoplaytherulerhereuntilThou，myLordandGod，allowestmeagaintobeThyhumbleandsimpleservant，andtoreturntomybelovedAnnaGertrude，mythreelittledaughters，andmydearlittleboy。OHolyVirgin，watchwithmaternalcareovermydearonesathome;protectthem，andgrantpeacetotheirhearts，thattheymaynottrembleformysafety。
Grantpeacetousall，HolyMotherofGod，and——\"
\"Look，look，thereheis！\"shoutedaloudvoicebehindhim，interruptinghiminhisprayer。\"See，thereisthegreathero！Howhumblyheiskneelingbeforethealtar！LookatAndreasHofer。\"
AndreasHoferturned，indignantattheinterruptionandthewordssoloudlyutteredinthatsacredplace。Hesawseveralhundredpersonsthrongingtheaisleandfixingtheireyesuponhim。AllcrowdedforwardandraisedtheirheadstoseeAndreasHofer，admirehisfinebeard，andexaminehiswholeappearance。Theybadfollowedhimquietly，andasthenewsthatAndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，hadgonetothechurchoftheFranciscans，spreadrapidly，allhadhastenedthithertoseehimandrenderhimhomage。
ButAndreasHoferthoughtthishomagedecidedlyirksome，andhewasangrythatthespectatorshaddisturbedhisprayer。He，therefore，madeabitter—sweetfaceinresponsetotheenthusiasticdemonstrationsandaffectionategreetingsofthepeople，andelbowedhiswayhastilytowardthedoor。
\"Ithankyouforyourattachment，\"hesaidtothosewhowereclosetohim，\"butIshouldhavebeenbetterpleasedifyouhadallowedmequietlytopursuemyway，andhadnotinterruptedmyprayer。Butnowprayletmegohomealone，anddonotfollowme。Itmaybebecomingforaristocraticgentlementohavealargesuitebehindthem，butI
amonlyasimpleTyroleselikeyouall，anddonotwanttobeanythingelse。Moreover，Iamaveryordinary—lookingman，andthereisnoreasonwhateverwhyyoushouldstareatmeinthismanner。Pray，therefore，donotgowithme，butletthereturnquietlytoNiederkircher\'stavern，whereIamgoingtodine。\"
Theyobeyed，ofcourse，andopenedapassageforhimtostepoutofthechurchdoor。Butthereupontheyrushedouttolookafterhimandshout，\"LongliveAndreasHofer，thepiouscommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！\"Butnooneventuredtofollowhim;allgazedaffectionatelyandreverentiallyafterhistallform，ashewalkedwithaslowanddignifiedstepdownthestreet。
\"Therearestrangepeopleinthesecities，\"murmuredHofertohimself，whilewalkingalong;\"theydonotevenletmeprayquietly，andareascuriousasswallows。Theyfollowmeeverywhere，andstareatmeasthoughIwereawildbeast。Ifthatisbeingafamousman，Idonotcareforfame;andforthewholeworldIwouldnotbeanaristocraticorfamousmanallmylifetime。Whenpeacehasbeenrestoredtothecountry，andthereisnolongeranenemytofight，theywillforgetmyhumbleservices，andIshallliveagainquietlyatmyinninthePasseyrvalley。NoonewillthenrunaftertheSandwirthwhenhecomestoInnsprucktosellhorses;andIshallsitagaininNiederkircher\'sbackroom，eatdumplings，anddrinknativewine。Ah，HolyVirgin，letitsoonbesoagain，thatthecommander—
in—chiefmaybeagainSandwirthAndreasHofer。\"
\"Hurrah，longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！\"shoutedatthismomentsomemenwhohadrecognizedhim，andstoodstilltodohomagetohimasthoughhewereasovereignprince。
AndreasHoferacceleratedhisstep，andwasverygladonreachingthetavernsoonafterward。
CHAPTERXXXIII。
ANDREASHOFER，THEEMPEROR\'SLIEUTENANT。
Andreasascendedthestaircasehastily，andenteredthebalcony—
room。
TheCapuchinhadnowrisenfromthecarpet;JosephSpeckbacherwaswithhim，andbothhastenedtomeetAndreasHofer。
\"Youhavekeptuswaitingalongwhile，brother，\"saidtheCapuchin，indignantly;\"yououghttohaveborneinmindthatwehavenoteatenanything，andare，therefore，veryhungry。\"
\"Yes，FatherAndy，\"exclaimedSpeckbacher，smiling，\"youhungourbread—basketveryhigh;wearequiteweakfromwaitingandhunger。\"
\"NowtheyblameMEforkeepingTHEMwaiting，\"saidAndreasmildly。
\"AndyetIthinktheykeptmewaiting，andhungerdrovemetothechurch。Well，nevermind，mydearfriendsandcomrades;wearetogethernow，andIamverygladofit。LookatNiederkircherandhislargedish！Howsplendidlyitsmokesandsmells，andhowgooditwillbetoeat！Well，Niederkircher，putthedishonthetablehere，andsitdownanddinewithus。\"
\"No，no，commander—in—chief，itismydutyto—daytowaitonyou，foryouarenowahighlydistinguishedgentleman，andsoaretheothertwo;hence，itwouldnotbehoovemetodinewithyou。\"
\"Ifyourefusetodoso。Ishallnoteatatall，\"criedAndreasHofer。
\"AndIshallrunaway，\"saidSpeckbacher，jumpingupfromhischair。
\"Ishallsitstill，\"growledtheCapuchin，\"butIshallhenceforthturnmybackuponNeiderkircherifheallowsoursouptobecomecoldinsteadofsittingdownatonceanddiningwithus。\"
\"Iwilldoso，\"criedNiederkircher，movingachairtothetable，andseatinghimselfonit。\"Butnowmyfriends，permitmeatleasttofillyourplates。\"
\"Wewillnotobjecttothat！\"exclaimedthethreefriends，laughing;
\"andprayfillthemwell，Niederkircher。\"
Therewasalongpausenow;nothingwasheardbuttherattlingofthespoonsontheplates。Allatoncethiscomfortablesilencewasbrokenbydeafeningcheersandshoutsutteredonthestreet。
Hoferdroppedhisspoon，frowned，andlistened。\"Ibelievetheyarecallingmeagain，\"hesighed，dolefully。
Hewasnotmistaken。HundredsofyouthfulvoiceswereheardshoutingAndreasHofer\'sname，andtheircheerswerefollowedbyaloud，ringingflourishofviolins，fifes，bugles，andtrumpets。
\"Theyhavemusicianswiththem，\"exclaimedHofer，anxiously。\"HolyVirgin，justlistenhowtheyareroaring！Itseemsasiftheywereintentonupsettingthehouse。\"
\"Theyarecallingyou，theywanttoseeyou，\"saidNiederkircher，whohadsteppedtothewindow。\"Theyarethestudentsoftheuniversity;theyhavecomeintheirholidayattiretoserenadeyou。\"
\"AndwhydotheywanttoserenadeME？\"askedAndreasHofer，almostindignantly。\"WhynotSpeckbacher，ortheCapuchin，orPeterMayer，orAnthonyWallner？TheyalldidjustasmuchasIdid，andperhapsevenmore。\"
\"Butyouarethepeople\'sfavorite，brother，\"saidtheCapuchin，smiling;\"thepeoplebelieveinyou，anditwouldbecruelandshort—sightedinustoshaketheirfaithinyou。Everythingmustcomefromyou;youmusthavedoneandaccomplishedeverything。\"
\"Andwhatweothersdid，wedidonlyinyourname，FatherAndy！\"
exclaimedSpeckbacher;\"thepeopleandthesharpshooterswouldnothaveobeyedussowell，hadtheynotbelievedthatyouhadissuedalltheordersandinstructionswhichwegavethem。Onhearingyournametheyobeyed，foughtwell，andwereconfidentthatweshouldsucceed。Andforthisreasontheyarejustifiedincouplingyournamewiththecelebrationofthevictory。Justlistenhowtheyareshoutingyourname！Itistrue，thedearboyshavetremendouslungs，andifyoudonotcomplywiththeirwishes，andshowyourselfonthebalcony，Iamafraidtheywillmakeusdeafandthemselvesquitehoarse。\"
\"Well，Idonotcare，\"sighedAndreas;\"openthedooragain，Niederkircher，Imuststepoutonthebalcony。\"
\"Andmakeanotherfinespeechasbefore，\"saidtheinnkeeper，throwingopenthefolding—doors。
Andreasmadenoreply，butwenttothebalconywithagraveandalmostangryface。Deafeningcheersgreetedhim，andthedensecrowdassembledinthestreetshouted:\"LongliveAndreasHofer，thecommander—in—chief！LongliveAndreasHofer，theliberator！\"
\"Mybraveson，JosephSpeckbacher，\"saidtheCapuchin，fillinghisglass，\"youseeeveryonegetshisdueintheend。Daybeforeyesterday，whilewewerefightinginthesweatofourbrowsonMountIsel，mydearbrotherAndreasHofersatupathisfriendEtschmann\'stavern。Abottleofwinestoodbeforehim，andhisrosarylayonthetable;andwhilewewerefighting，heprayedanddrank，andsentusfromtimetotimehisorders，whichsoundedlikeoracles，whichnooneunderstood，andwhicheveryoneinterpretedashedeemedprudent。Nowhemusttoilinhisturnandfightwithhistongue，whilewearesittingheresnuglyanddrinkingourwine。Thereisanotherflourishoutside！Trara！trara！\"
AndtheCapuchinwavedhisglassandemptieditatonedraught。
Suddenlythecrowdinthestreetbecamesilent;astudentcameforwardandadvancedseveralstepstowardthebalcony。
\"AndreasHofer，belovedcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，\"hesaid，inaloud，solemnvoice，\"ourheartsarefullofloveforyouandpraiseofyourheroicdeeds，andourlips，too，wouldliketooverflow。Permitus，therefore，noble，hero，belovedliberator，tosingbeforeyouasongglorifyingyourexploits;asongpraisingyourstrugglesandvictories;asongwhichwillhenceforthbesungbyeveryman，woman，andchild，throughouttheTyrol。Westudentswrotethesong，foryourheroicdeedsfilledourheartswithenthusiasm，andourattachmenttoyoutaughtusthefinestmusicforit，Permitus，therefore，tosingbeforeyouthesongofthevictoriousheroAndreasHofer。\"
\"No，no，mydearfriends，donotsing，\"exclaimedHofer，gravelyandalmostangrily。\"Donotsing，anddonotplayanylongeronyourfifesandviolins。Wedidnottakethefieldtosinganddance，andIdidnotleavemywifeandchildrenathomewithalightheart，butwithtearsandanxiety。ButIdiditbecauseitwastheLord\'swill;
andasHeaccompaniedmeintobattlewesucceededindefeatingtheenemy。Butitwasahardandmournfultask;manybraveandexcellentmenlosttheirlimbsoreventheirlives，andmanywoundedpatriotsareyetimploringGodtorelievethemoftheirterribleagony。Andwhiletheyaregroaningandwailing，canyouwishtosing？Whilesomanyfathersandmothersarelamentingtheirfallensons，canyouwishtoexulthereandmakemusic？No，mydearfriends，thatwouldnotbebecomingforaChristianandcharitablepeople。Youhadbetterlayyourviolinsasideandtakeupyourrosaries。Donotsing，butpray。Prayaloudandferventlyforourbelovedemperor，and，ifyoulike，youmayaddalowprayerforpoorAndreasHofer。
Butyoushallnotsinganysongsinhishonor，forGodaloneaccomplisheditall，andhomageshouldberenderedtononebutHim。
Therefore，donotsing，butpray。Prayinmyname，too，forIhavenotmuchtimenow，andcannotprayasmuchasIshouldliketodo。
SaytothegoodGodthatwetoiledhonestlyandbravely;saytoHimthatwesufferedprivations，watched，fought，andconquered，forthefatherland;andpraytoHimforthebravemenwhoaccompaniedustotheholystruggle，andwhowillneverreturn，buthavesuccumbedtotheirmortalwounds。Donotsing，butprayfortheirpoorsouls。
Playyourmerrymelodiesnolonger，butgohomequietlyandprayGodtoprotectushenceforthasHehasheretofore。ThatiswhatIwishtotellyou，mydearfriends。AndnowGodblessyou，andacceptmyheart—feltthanksforyourloveandattachment。\"[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"p。130。]
Thestudents，seizedwithprofoundemotion，anddeeplyimpressedbythesimpleyetsoul—stirringwordsofAndreasHofer，compliedquietlyandwillinglywithhisrequest。Theirfifes，violins，andbuglesbecamesilent，andthecrowddispersednoiselessly，withoututteringanymorecheersandacclamations。
\"Theyarefine，dearlads，\"saidAndreasHofer，lookingafterthemwithbeamingeyes;\"strongandheartylads，fullofspiritsandimpetuosity，butontheotherhandsogentleandsubmissive！——Well，now，\"heexclaimedjoyfully，steppingbackintotheroom，\"Ihopeweshallhavesomerest，andshallbeabletofinishourdinnerinpeace。\"
Thishope，however，wasnottobefulfilled。Thedinnerwasnotyetoverbyanymeans，whencheersandloudnoiseresoundedoncemoreinthestreet，andanothersolemnprocessionapproachedthetavern。
Thistime，however，themembersoftheprocessiondidnotremaininthestreet，butenteredthehouse，andthelandlord，whohadjustgonedownstairstofetchsomemorebottlesofwinefromthecellar，hastenedbacktothebalcony—roomandannouncedthatallthecommandersoftheLandsturm，andthemunicipalofficershadarrivedtopaytheirrespectstothecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrolandcommunicatearequesttohim。
\"Well，then，\"sighedHofer，rising，\"letthemcomeinhere。Iseethatourdinnerisspoiledanyhow。Letthemcomeinhere，Niederkircher。\"
\"Godforbid！therearesomanyofthemthattheywouldnothaveroomhere;besides，itwouldnotbebecomingforyoutoreceiveallthesegentlemenherewherethereisadinner—table。Ihaveconductedthemalltothelargeballroom;theyawaityouthere，AndreasHofer。\"
\"IwouldIknewwhattheywantofme，\"sighedHofer，strokinghislongbeard。
\"Iknowwhattheywant，FatherAndy，\"saidSpeckbacher，smiling。\"I
myselfsuggestedtothecommandersoftheLandsturmtheplanofaskingofyouwhattheyaregoingtocommunicatetoyounow。Andyoumustnotrefusetocomplywiththeirrequest，FatherAndy;forthegoodofthecountrydemandsthatyoushouldyield，andtheemperorhimselfwillthankyouforsodoing。\"
\"Iknowlikewisewhatthesegentlemenwantofyou，brotherAndy，\"
exclaimedtheCapuchin，fillinghisglass。\"IwasyesterdayalreadyinInnspruck，whereIconferredwiththemayorandthemembersofthecitycouncil，andtheywilltellyounowwhatweresolvedthen。
Youmustnotresist，brother;youmust，onthecontrary，complywiththeirrequest;foritisGod\'swillthatyoushould，andthereforeyoumust。Nowgototheballroom，dearAndy。\"
\"Ishallnot，unlessyoutwoaccompanymethither，\"answeredAndreasHofer，emphatically。\"TheywillfinallybelieveIwishtomonopolizeallhonors，andwillchargemewithforgettingthatHaspingerandSpeckbacher，daybeforeyesterday，didagreatdealmorethanmyselfatthebattleofMountIsel，andthatweshouldneverhavegainedavictorytherewithoutthem。Therefore，youmustwalksidebysidewithme，oneonmyright，theotheronmylefthand;andwewillentertheballroomjustaswefoughtinbattle。\"
Onenteringtheballroom，wherethecommandersoftheLandsturmintheiruniformsandtheofficersofthemunicipalityhadrangedthemselvesalongthewalls，thethreeheroeswerereceivedwiththreedeafeningcheers;andthistimeAndreasHoferwasnotboldenoughtotelltheenthusiasticgentlementobesilent，buthelookedquiterespectfullyatthemayorinhislongblackrobe，whowasapproachinghimwithagravestepbetweentwomembersofthecitycouncil。
\"Wecome，\"hesaid，solemnly，\"notonlytothankyoufortheheroicdeedswhichyouhaveperformed，buttoprayyoutodostillmoreforusandthefatherland。Youhavedeliveredthecountryfromtheenemy，butthereislackingtoitahead，acrown。TheBavariangovernmentcommission，andCountRechbergtheking\'slieutenant，haveescapedfromInnspruckwiththeFrenchforces。WearefreefromtheBavarianyoke;wearenolongergovernedbytheking\'slieutenant，andinhisplacewewantalieutenantoftheemperor。
Theremustbeoneinwhosehandsallpowerisconcentrated，andwhorulesoverthecountryintheemperor\'sname。Youmustfillthisposition，AndreasHofer。TheauthoritiesandthepeopleofInnspruckelectyoutheemperor\'slieutenant。Youshallgovernthecountryinhisname，andwewillallsweartoyouobedience，fidelity，andlove。\"
Afterhehadconcludedhisaddress，AnthonyWallnersteppedforthfromtheranksofthecommandersoftheLandsturm。\"Yes，\"heexclaimed。\"youshallbetheemperor\'slieutenant。Wewillallsweartoyouobedience，fidelity，andlove。WecommandersoftheLandsturmwishedtosaythistoourcommander—in—chief，andthiswasthereasonwhywecamehither。WewanttoprayyoutogoverntheTyrolintheemperor\'sname。Yourconsentwouldgiveusthegreatestsatisfaction。\"
\"Wewanttoprayyou，\"saidoneofthemembersofthecitycouncil，comingforwardfromthemidstofhiscolleagues，\"totakeupyourresidenceastheemperor\'slieutenantintheimperialpalaceontheRemplatz。\"
\"Thatwillneverdo，\"criedAndreasHofer，indismay。\"HowcouldI
besoimpudentastoresideinthepalaceofhismajestytheemperor？No，no，thatwillneverdo;Icannotconsenttoit。\"
\"Itwilldoverywell，andyoumustconsenttoit，\"saidHaspinger，solemnly。\"Youshallresideintheimperialpalace，nottogratifyyourownvanity，buttoreassurethepeople，andshowthemthattheyarenotentirelydestituteofarulerandprotector。YoushallgovernthecountryforGodandtheemperoruntilallourenemiesareworstedandthewarisatanend。Theemperorhasnottimeatthisjuncturetotakecareofus:hemustdevotehiswholeattentiontothereorganizationofhisarmyandpreparefortheresumptionofhostilities。Thearmisticeexpiresattheendofthismonth，andwarwillthen，ofcourse，breakoutoncemore，fortheFrenchemperorwillnotkeepquietandsubmitbeforeheisworstedandcrushedentirely;andwehavestillagreatdealtodo，agreatdealtofight，andmuchmorebloodwillhavetobeshed，beforewehavedeliveredthewholeSouthernTyrol，Carinthia，andCarniola，fromtheyokeofthetyrant。Inordertodoso，Speckbacher，Wallner，andI，willleadthebraveTyroleseagainsttheenemy。Now，ifthecountryistobegovernedproperlywhilewearefighting，amaninwhomboththepeopleandtheauthoritieshaveconfidencemustbeattheheadofthegovernment。Youarethisman，AndreasHofer。Thepeople，theauthorities，andthedefendersofthecountry，prayyoutoconsenttoit;butGodcommandsyouthroughmymouthtoaccepttheposition。\"
\"Well，then，\"exclaimedAndreas，enthusiastically，liftinghiseyesdevoutlytoheaven，\"IwilldojoyfullywhatGodcommands，andwhatyourequestmetodo。Iwilltakeuponmyselfthisarduousduty;I
willcomplywithyourwishes。Yousayitisnecessaryforthegoodofthecountryandtheemperorthatthereshouldbealieutenantoftheemperor;andifthereisnootherandbettermanthanI，andifyouhaveconfidenceinme，Iwillaccepttheposition。IamnothingbutaninstrumentinthehandofGodmyLord，andIdowhatHewantsmetodo，eventhoughitshouldcostmylife。MylifeisinHishand，andwhatIam，andhave，andcanbe，belongstomyemperorandmycountry。Iwillbe，then，theemperor\'slieutenantintheTyroluntiltheemperorissuesorderstothecontrary，oruntilpeaceisrestoredtothecountry，andtheemperorisableagaintotakechargeofthegovernment。LetusprayGodandtheHolyVirginthatthatdaymaysoondawnuponus！\"
\"Longlivetheemperor\'slieutenant！\"shoutedthewholeassembly，joyously。
\"Now，\"exclaimedthemayor，\"givemeyourhand，AndreasHofer，lieutenantoftheemperor，andcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。Wewillconductyouinsolemnprocessiontotheimperialpalace，forthelieutenantmusttakeuphisresidencethere。\"
\"Yes，yes，letusaccompanyAndreasHofertotheimperialpalace，\"
exclaimedall，injoyfulexcitement。
\"Well，ifitpleaseGod。Iwilltakeupmyresidenceintheimperialpalace，\"exclaimedAndreasHofer，solemnly，givinghishandtothemayorandsteppingwithhimtothedooroftheballroom。
HewasfollowedbytheCapuchin，JosephSpeckbacher，AnthonyWallner，theothercommandersoftheLandsturm，andthemunicipalauthorities。Onsteppingintothestreet，theywerereceivedwiththunderingcheersbythepeoplewhothrongedthestreetandtheneighboringplace;andamidsinginganddeafeningacclamations，andtheringingofallthechurch—bells，theemperor\'slieutenantandcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，AndreasHofer，wasconductedtothemagnificentimperialpalace，wheretheSandwirthwastotakeuphisresidence。
CHAPTERXXXIV。
THEFIFTEENTHOFAUGUSTATCOMORN。
WhilethepeopleofInnsprucksetnoboundstotheirrejoicingsonthe15thofAugust，andaccompaniedAndreasHofer，theemperor\'slieutenant，amidthemostrapturousmanifestationsofenthusiasm，totheimperialpalace;whiletheEmperorNapoleonwascelebratingthe15thofAugust，hisbirthday，byagreatparadeatSchoenbrunn，andthebestowalofordersandrewardsonmanydistinguishedpersons，theEmperorFranciswasatthefortressofComorn。Onlyafewofhisfaithfuladherentshadfollowedhimthither;onlyhisservantsandofficerssurroundedhimathismournfulcourtthere。TheEmpressLudovicaandthearchduchesseshadalreadyrepairedtoTotis，acountry—seatofPrinceLichtenstein，inHungary，whithertheemperorintendedtofollowherinthecourseofafewdays。
\"Ishouldsetoutthisveryday，\"hesaid，pacinghiscabinet，tohisconfidentialagentHudelist，theAuliccouncillor，\"butIshouldliketoseepreviouslyCountBubna，whomIhavesenttoBonaparte。\"
\"Ihope，yourmajesty，thatthecountwillyetreturntoday，\"
repliedHudelist，inhishumbleblandvoice。
\"Godgrantit！\"sighedtheemperor。\"Itisverytedioushere，andI
hopeoursojournatTotiswillnotbesomournfulandwearisome。
PrinceLichtensteintoldmetherewereexcellentfishing—pondsthere，andheaddedthathehadcausedtobebuiltalaboratorywhereImightmanufacturesealing—wax。Ithink，Hudelist，weshallbeveryindustriousthere，andmanufacturenewandbeautifulstyles。\"
\"Ireceivedto—dayanewreceiptformakingcarminesealing—wax，perfumedalarose，\"saidHudelist，smiling。
\"Ah，thatisnice，\"exclaimedtheemperor;\"giveittome——letmereadit。\"
TheAuliccouncillordrewapaperfromhisbosomandhandeditwithalowbowtotheemperor。Francistookitquickly，andfixedhiseyessmilinglyonit。
Hisfeatures，however，suddenlybecameverygloomy，andhethrewthepaperindignantlyonthetable。\"Whatdoyougivemethisfor？\"heasked，angrily。\"Inspeakingofthereceipt，Ihadforgottentheabominablepoliticalsituationforamoment，butyoumustatonceremindmeofit。\"
\"MyGod！\"falteredoutHudelist，\"whatdidIdo，then，toexciteyourmajesty\'sindignation？\"
Theemperortookthepaperfromthetableandhandedittohim。
\"See，\"hesaid，alreadyhalfpacified，\"isthatareceiptformakingsealing—wax？\"
\"Goodheavens！\"groanedHudelist，indismay，\"Imadeamistake。Inplaceofthereceipt，Ihandedtoyourmajestythedraftoftheproclamationtoyoursubjects，whichyourmajestyorderedmetowrite。Oh，Ihumblybegyourmajesty\'spardonforhavingmadesolamentableablunder;I——\"
\"Well，nevermind，\"interruptedtheemperor;\"thereisnoharmdone。
Youhandedmeonereceipt，inplaceofanother;anditistrue，thesealing—waxreceiptmayremaininyourpocketuntilwearriveatTotis，buttheotherreceiptisneededimmediately，foritisdestinedtoreducethepeopletosubmissivenessandtranquillity。
Well，readtheproclamationyouhavedrawnup。\"
\"Yourmajesty，Ihavecarriedoutcarefullytheordersofyourmajesty，andtheinstructionsofyourminister，CountMetternich，andwrittenonlywhatyourmajestyhadagreeduponwiththeminister。\"
\"Readit，\"saidtheemperor，takingthefly—flapfromthetable;
and，whilehewasslowlyglidingalongthewalls，andkillingnowandthenafly，Hudelistreadasfollows:\"
\"Tomypeopleandmyarmy！——Mybelovedsubjects，andevenmyenemiesknowthat，inenteringuponthepresentwar，Iwasinducedtotakeuparmsneitherbythirstforconquestnorbymortifiedpersonalfeelings。\"
\"Self—preservationandindependence，apeacewhichwouldbecompatiblewiththehonorofmycrown，andwhichwouldgivesecurityandtranquillitytomypeople，weretheloftyandonlyobjectswhichIstrovetoattain。\"
\"Theficklefortunesofwarhavenotfulfilledmyexpectations;theenemypenetratedintotheheartofmystates，andexposedthemtothedevastationsofawarcarriedonwiththemostrelentlessexasperationandbarbarity;but，atthesametime，hebecameacquaintedwiththepatrioticspiritofmypeopleandthebraveryofmyarmy。\"
\"Thisexperience，whichhepurchasedafterfearfulbloodshed，andmyunvaryingsolicitudeforthehappinessofmysubjects，broughtaboutmutualadvancesforpeacenegotiations。MyplenipotentiariesmetwiththoseoftheFrenchemperor。\"
\"Iamdesirousofconcludinganhonorablepeace，thetermsofwhichofferthepossibilityandprospectofitsduration。Thebraveryofmyarmy，itsunwaveringcourage，itsardentpatriotism，itsemphaticwishnottolaydownitsarmspriortotheconclusionofanhonorablepeace，preventmefromsubmittingtotermswhichwouldshakethefoundationsoftheempire，anddishonorusaftersuchgreatandgeneroussacrificesandsomuchbloodshed。\"
\"Thenoblespiritanimatingthearmyisasufficientguarantythat，iftheenemyshouldafterallmistakeourintentionsandstrength，weshallcertainlyobtaintherewardofconstancyintheend。\"
[Footnote:SeeHormayr\'s\"AndreasHofer，\"vol。ii。，p。440。]
\"There，\"criedtheemperoratthismoment，strikingwiththefly—
flapatthewall，\"thatwillatlengthputanendtoyourhumming，withwhichyouhavedinnedmyearsforaquarterofanhour。Comehere，Hudelist，andlookatthisbluebottlefly。ThewholetimewhileyouwerereadingIwaschasingit，andhaveonlyjustgotit。
Didyoueverseesolargeafly？\"
\"Itisaverylargeflyindeed，\"saidHudelist，withagrin。
\"Idonotbelievethatitisabluebottlefly，\"exclaimedtheemperor。\"ItisBonaparte，whohastransformedhimselfintoabluebottlefly，asJoveoncetransformedhimselfintoanox;andhecamehithertoannoymeanddinmyearsuntilIamquitesick。Yes，yes，Hudelist，believeme，Bonaparteisahugebluebottlefly，whichdrivesallEuropemad。Ah，wouldIcouldtreathimasItreatthisabominablebluebottleflynow，andcrushhimundermyfoot！\"
Andtheemperorcrushedthewrithinginsectunderhisheel。
\"YourmajestywillsurelyenjoyonedaythepleasureofcrushingBonaparte，thehugebluebottlefly，underyourheel，\"saidHudelist。
\"Onlyyourmajestymustbegraciousenoughtohavepatience，andnotnowtrytoattainwhatyouwillsurelyaccomplishatalatertime。
AtthisjunctureBonaparteisstrongandsuperiortous;butletuswaituntilthereisamomentwhenheisweak;yourmajestywillprofitbythismoment，andcrushhim。\"
\"See，seehowkindyouare！\"exclaimedtheemperor，withasardonicsmile;\"youaresoobligingastogivemeadvicewhichIdidnotaskfor。Ithankyou，Mr。AulicCouncillor，butIbelieveitwillbebetterformetofollowmyownunderstanding。AsGodAlmightyhasplacedmeattheheadofAustriaandmademeemperor，Hemustconfideinmyabilitytodischargethedutiesofmyimperialoffice。