willyoufollowme，or——\"
\"Sire，thereisno\'or，\'\"interruptedCountMetternich。\"Itisyourmajesty\'sincontestablerighttoleadtheway，andindicatetomethecourseIamtopursue。\"
\"Thatisright;Iliketohearthatkindoflanguage！\"exclaimedtheemperor，holdingouthishandkindlytothecount。\"Youmaydependuponitnowthatwetwoshallremainyetalongwhiletogether，andthat，sincewearegoingtohavepeaceinthecountry，weshallruletogetherintranquillityandharmony。There，takethepapernowtoyourroom，andreaditattentively，thatyoumaybecomethoroughlyfamiliarwithit;aboveallthings，donotforgetthesecretarticles，foryouknowtheyarealwaysthemostimportantofall。
Prayreturntomeinanhourfromnow;wewillthenworktogether。\"
\"Sire，Ishallbeherepunctually，\"saidCountMetternich，bowingdeeply，andwalkingbackwardtothedoor。
\"IbelieveheWILLbeherepunctually，\"saidtheemperor，smiling，afterMetternichhadlefttheroom。\"Heisafraid，ifheshouldnotbepromptlyatmydoor，itmightneveropentohimagain。IwantthemalltofeelthatIamtheirmasterandemperor——Ialone！NowI
amthroughwithMetternich，anditismybrother\'sturn。Iwillgivehimto—dayalessonwhichhewillnotforgetallhislifelong。\"
Theemperorrangthebell。\"Hasmybrother，theArchdukeJohn，notyetarrived？\"heaskedthefootmanwhoenteredtheroom。
\"Yourmajesty，thearchdukehasjustarrived，andiswaitingforyourorders。\"
\"Irequestmybrothertocometomeimmediately，\"saidtheemperor。
Afterthefootmanhadglidednoiselesslyoutoftheroom，Franciswalkedrepeatedlyupanddown，andhisfaceassumedagloomyexpression。\"HeshalllearnnowthatIamhismaster，\"hemurmured;
\"Iwillbreakhishaughtyspirit，andhumiliatehimsodeeplythathewillneverthinkanymoreofplottingagainstme。\"
Atthismomentthedooropened，andtheArchdukeJohn，whomthefootmanannounced，enteredtheroom。Helookedpaleandsad;thelastmonths，fullofcareandgrief，hadgnaweddeeplyintohissoul，anddeprivedhiseyesoftheirfire，andhisformofitsyouthfulfulness。
Theemperorsawit，andasardonicsmileilluminatedforamomenthisfeatures，which，however，quicklyresumedtheirgloomyexpression。\"Ah，brother，\"exclaimedtheemperor，greetingthearchdukewithaslightnodofhishead，\"wehavenotseeneachotherforalongtime;hence，Isentforyou。Iwishtocommunicateimportantnewstoyou。Thewarisatanend。IhaveconcludedpeacewiththeEmperoroftheFrench。\"
\"Peace？\"askedJohn，incredulously。\"Yourmajestycondescendstojest，andthatisagoodsymptomofyourmajesty\'sexcellenthealth。\"
\"Ineverjestwithyou，\"saidtheemperor，dryly。\"Itellyouindeadearnest，IhaveconcludedpeacewithNapoleon。Austrialosesagreatdealbythispeace;shecedesone—thirdofherterritory，andpays，moreover，besidesthecontributionsimposedheretofore，thesumofeighty—sixmillionsoffranc。\"[Footnote:NapoleonsignedthetreatyofSchoenbrunnonthe14thofOctober1809。]
\"ButwhatoftheTyrol？\"askedJohn。\"IamsureyourmajestywillkeepthefaithfulTyrol？\"
\"No，\"saidFrancis，lookinghisbrotherfullintheface，\"theTyrolwillbedivided;onepartofitwillberestoredtoBavaria;theotherpartwillbegiventotheViceroyofItaly，andbecomeaprovinceofFrenchItaly。\"
\"Thatisimpossible！\"criedJohn，indismay;\"thatcannotbeyourwill——\"
\"Andwhynot？Whyisitimpossible？\"askedtheemperor，sternly。
\"Yourmajesty，\"saidJohn，facinghisbrotherboldly，\"youpledgedyourwordtotheTyrolesesolemnly，inthefaceofGodandthewholeworld，thatyouwouldnotconcludeapeacewhichwouldseparatetheTyrolfromyourmonarchy。\"
\"Ah，youdaretoremindmeofit？\"criedFrancis，inathreateningtone。
\"Yes，Ido，\"saidJohn，vehemently;\"andIhavearighttodoso，foritisIwhopledgedmyhonorthattheimperialpromisewouldberedeemed。ItwasIwhostirreduptheinsurrectionoftheTyrolese，whorepeatedthepromisesoftheirbelovedemperortothem;itwasI
whocalleduponthemintheemperor\'snametoorganizeaconspiracyandrebellion，andwhoinducedthemtodrawtheswordandfightfortheirliberty。Yourmajesty，thousandsofthenoblestTyrolesehavelosttheirlivesinthiscontest;thousandsliewoundedandingreatpain;thesoiloftheTyrol，formerlysotranquilandpeaceful，isreekingyetwithgore;thefieldsarenotcultivated;whereprosperityformerlyreigned，thereisnowdistressandstarvation;
wherepeaceandtranquillityprevailed，thereragesaninsurrection;
wheremerryandhappypeopleusedtolive，andwherenothingwasheardformerlybuttheringingnotesoftheRanzdesVachesandthemerryJodlersoftheherdsmen，therearetobeseennowonlypale，mournfulinvalids，totteringalongpainfully，andnothingisheardbuttheboomingofartilleryandthelamentationsoftheimpoverishedandstarvingmountaineers。Andyet，despitealltheirdisastersandprivations，thefaithfulTyrolesestandfirm，fortheirheartsarefullofhopeandlovefortheiremperor。TheyriskedallinordertobecomeAustriansagain;andevennow，whenthedeplorablearmisticehascompelledyourtroopstosheathetheirswords，thefaithfulandconfidingTyrolesecontinuetheirstrugglefortheiremperorandthelibertyoftheirbelovedcountry。AllEuropegazeswithastonishmentandadmirationuponthisheroicpeople，whichaloneisyetcourageousenoughtoresisttheFrenchdespot，whichalonedoesnotyetbowtohisdecrees，andstilldrawsitsswordagainsthim，whileallEuropeiscrouchingbeforehiminthedust。Oh，yourmajestycannotandwillnotabandonthisfaithfulpeople，whichlovesyouandbelievesinyou。Itwouldbehightreasontothinkyourmajestycapableofsuchastep，foryoupledgedyourwordtotheTyrolese，andneverwillanEmperorofAustriabreakhiswordandincurthedisgraceofperjuringhimself。\"
Theemperorutteredacryofrage，and，entirelyforgetfulofhisassumedcalmness，rusheduponthearchdukewithflashingeyesandupliftedarm。
\"Youdaretoinsultme！\"hecried。\"Youareimpudentenoughtochargemewithperjury！You——\"
Thearchdukeonseeinghisbrothersoclosebeforehim，furiousandwithclinchedfist，startedbackafewsteps。\"Yourmajesty，\"hesaid，\"Iamsureyoudonotintendtoinsultyourbrother。Praytakeyourhandaway，forifitshouldtouchmyface，myforehead，I
shouldbeobligedtoforgetthatyouaretheemperor，thatyouaremybrother，andshoulddemandsatisfactionofyou。\"
\"Theemperorwouldnotgivesatisfactiontoarebel，\"saidFrancis，droppinghisarmslowly;\"hewouldcrushtherebelbyaword，anddeliverthetraitorintothehandsofhisjudges。\"
\"Well，then，doso，\"exclaimedJohn;\"punishme，letmeexpiatewithmybloodtheboldnesswithwhichIremindedyouofthesacredpromisewhichyougavetotheTyrolese。Butdonotforgetyourword;
donotabandonthefaithfulTyrol;donotdestroytheonlyhopeofthesehonest，innocentchildrenofnature，whoconfidesotouchinglyintheiremperor！Oh，yourmajesty，letusbothforgetthevehementwordswhichangerandgriefcausedustoutterjustnow！Iimploreyourmajesty\'sforgiveness——IconfessthatIsinnedgrievouslyagainstmyemperor。Butnowhavemercyinyourturn！See，Ibowtoyou，Ikneeldownbeforeyou，andimploreyou，byyourimperialhonorandinthenameoftheTyrol，donotabandontheTyrolanditscommander—in—chief，AndreasHofer，anddonotforgetyoursolemnpromisethatyouwouldneverconsenttoatreatyofpeacethatwouldnotforeverincorporatetheTyrolwithyourstates。YouwanttomakepeacewithNapoleon;butthetreatyhasnotbeenproclaimedyet，theworlddoesnotknowofityet，anditisstillpossibleforyourmajestytobreakoffthenegotiations。Oh，doso，yourmajesty;
redeemthewordyoupledgedtotheTyrol，anddonotconcludeapeacewhichwillnotindissolublyunitetheTyrolwithyourmonarchy。PermittheTyroleseatleasttoconquertheirlibertyoncemore，and，aftertheyhavedoneso，protectit。SendmetotheTyrol，permitmetoplacemyselfattheheadofthebravemountaineers，andyoushallseethattheTyrolesewillriseasonemanandfightwiththecourageoflions。Oh，yourmajesty，sendmetotheTyrol，thattheTyroleseandthewholeworldmaylearnthattheemperorofAustriakeepshiswordanddoesnotabandonthem，andthathesendshisownbrothertotheminordertotellthemthathewillnotconsenttoanypeacewhichwillnotincorporatetheircountrywithAustria！\"
Theemperorburstintoloudandscornfullaughter。\"Ah，youareveryshrewd，brother，\"hesaid;\"youthinkImyselfshouldgiveyoupermissiontogototheTyrolandplaythere，withredoubledsplendor，yourpartassaviorandliberatoroftheprovince。YouthinkIamignorantofyournicelittleplan，anddonotknowwhyyouwishtogototheTyrol，andwhatintentionsyouentertaininregardtoit。Yes，sir，Iknowall！Iamawareofyourplans。Iknowthatyouarearevolutionistandrebel。YouwantedtomakeyourselfsovereignoftheTyrol。Thatisthereasonwhyyouincitedthepeopletorebellion，andintriguedandplotteduntilthepoorpeaceablepeasantsbecameinsurgentsandrebelsagainsttheirBavarianking，andunfurledthebannerofbloodwithfranticfanaticism。YousaythousandshavefallenintheTyrolinthestruggleforliberty;yousaythousandsliewoundedonthegorysoiloftheirnativecountry;thatprosperityhasdisappeared，andpovertyandstarvationreignintheTyrol？Well，then，allthisisyourwork;itisyourfault。Youstirreduptheinsurrection，andcommittedtheheavycrimeofincitingapeopletorevolution。TheTyrolbelongedtoBavaria;theTyroleseweresubjectsoftheKingofBavaria;nothinggavethemtherighttoshakeofftheruleoftheirkingandchooseanothersovereign。AndyouthinkIshouldbesoweakastoapproveofthebadexamplesetbytheTyrolese，andencouragethecrimescommittedbytherevolutionists？YouthinkIshouldsanctionyourworkandconsecrateyourtraitorousschemesbypermittingyoutogototheTyrolinordertopreachinsurrectiononcemore，makeyourselfsovereignoftheTyrol，cometoanunderstandingwithM。Bonaparte，andberecognizedandconfirmedbyhimasDukeofTyrol？\"
\"Brother，\"criedJohn，indismay，\"I——\"
\"Hush，\"interruptedtheemperor，imperiously;\"noonehasarighttosayawordwhenIamspeaking。Iamnotspeakingtoyouasyourbrother，butasyouremperor。Andasyouremperor，Itellyounow，youwillnotgototheTyrol，youwillnotdaretocrossagainthefrontiersoftheTyrolwithoutmypermission;andIpromiseyouthatyouwillhavetowaitalongwhileforthispermission。AndasyouremperorIorderyoufurthertoinformtheTyrolesethatIhaveconcludedpeacewithFrance，andtocalluponthemtolaydowntheirarmsandsubmittotheirfate。\"
\"Yourmajesty，never，neverwillIdothat！\"criedJohn。
\"Oh，youthinkthegoodTyrolesewouldthenbegintodoubtthehonestyoftheiradoredarchdukeandwithdrawfromhimtheirlove，whichwastoerectathroneforhim？\"
\"No，yourmajesty，\"saidJohn，lookinghimfullintheface;\"ImeanthatIhavepledgedmywordtoprotecttheTyrolese，andhelpandsuccorthemintheirstruggleforlibertyandfortheiremperor，andthatIwillnotincurthedisgraceofhavingcheatedawholepeopleandabusedtheirconfidenceandloveinthemostrevoltingmanner。\"
\"Oh，youwanttointimatetomeoncemorethatIhavedoneso——thatIhaveabusedtheconfidenceandloveoftheTyroleseinarevoltingmanner？\"askedtheemperor，withafreezingsmile。\"Nomatter，keepyouropinion;butyoushallsurelyobeyme，anddoitatonceinmypresence。Seatyourselfatmywriting—tableyonder。Youareascholar，andknowhowtowieldthepenquicklyandskilfully。Write，therefore。InformthefaithfulTyrolesethatpeacehasbeenconcluded;orderthemtolaydowntheirarmsandsubmitobedientlytotheirnewmaster。\"
\"Icannot，brother，\"criedJohn，mournfully。\"Havemercyuponme！I
cannotdeliverawholepeopletotheexecutioner\'saxe。For，ifyouwithdrawyourhandfromtheTyrol，ifyousurrenderittothetendermerciesoftheBavariansandFrench，theywillwreakafearfulrevengeontheTyroleseforallthedefeatsandhumiliationswhichtheheroicmountaineershavemadethemundergo。\"
\"Thatwilldeterthemountaineersfromenteringintoanymoreconspiraciesandrevolutions，andteachthemtobepatientandsubmissive;andtheywilltherebybecomeanawfulexampletomyownsubjects。Donotdisobeymeanylonger。Seatyourselfandwrite，archduke！\"
\"No，\"criedJohn，vehemently，\"yourmajestymaypunishmeasarebel，takemylife，orsentencemetoeverlastingimprisonment，butIcannotobey！Icannotwritesuchaproclamation！\"
\"Ishallnotpunishyouasarebel，\"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders;\"Ishallnottakeyourlife，Ishallnotsentenceyoutoeverlastingimprisonment;butIwillwithdrawmyhandentirelyfromtheTyrol。Iwillnot，asIhadresolvedandstipulatedexpressly，givethefugitiveTyrolese，iftheyshouldsucceedincrossingthefrontier，anasylumhereinAustria，andprotectthemtothebestofmypower;butIwilldeliverthemasescapedcriminalstotheirlegitimatesovereigns，thattheymaypunishthemaccordingtotheirdeserts。NorshallI，asIintendedtodo，stipulateinthetreatyofpeacethattheancientconstitutionshallbeconfirmedandguaranteedtotheTyrolese;norshallI，finally，asIhadresolvedtodo，appointacommissionwhichwillaffordrelieftothefugitiveswhoescapewiththeirfamiliestoAustria。ItwillbeyourfaultifthepoorTyrolesearedeprivedoftheseboons，andyouwillexposethedesertedpeopletothemostfearfulpersecutions。\"
\"No，yourmajesty;nooneshalleverbeabletosaythat，\"criedJohn，profoundlymoved。\"Iwillobeyyourorderanddrawuptheproclamation。\"
Hehastenedtothewriting—table，and，throwinghimselfonachairinfrontofit，utteredadeepgroananddroppedhisheadonhisbreastasthoughheweredying。
\"Well，donotreflectsolong，brother，\"saidFrancis，\"butwrite！\"
Johntookupthepen，and，restrainingthetearswhichfilledhiseyes，wrotequicklyafewlines。Hethenroseaspaleasacorpse，and，approachingtheemperorslowly，handedthepapertohim。
\"Yourmajesty，\"hesaid，solemnly，\"Ihavecompliedwithyourorder。
IinformtheTyrolesethatpeacehasbeenconcluded，andexhortthemtosubmit。Willyounowfulfiltheconditions，onaccountofwhichI
havewrittenthistotheTyrolese？WillyougrantanasylumhereinAustriatothosewhoshallsucceedinescapingtheirtormentorsandexecutioners？Willyouappointanimperialcommissionwhichwillaffordrelieftothefugitivesandtheirfamilies？，Andlast，willyouseetoitthattheancientconstitutionisguaranteedtotheTyroleseinthetreatyofpeaceyou？\"
\"IpledgedyoumywordthatIwoulddoso，dearbrother\"saidtheemperor，smiling;\"andyouyourselfsaidawhileago，\'NeverwillanEmperorofAustriabreakhiswordandincurthedisgraceofperjuringhimself。\'Well，readtomenowwhatyouhavewritten。I
shouldliketohearitfromyourownlips。\"
Thearchdukebowedandreadinatremulousvoice:
\"Dear，braveTyrolese:Thenewsthatpeacehasbeenconcludedwillsoonreachyou。Theemperorhasorderedmetoconfirmthisintelligencetoyou。TheemperorwouldhavedoneeverythingtofulfilthewishesoftheTyrol，but，howevergreataninteresttheemperortakesinthefateofthehonestandexcellentinhabitantsofthatprovince，hehashadtosubmittothesternnecessityofmakingpeace。Iinformyouofthisbyorderofhismajesty，withtheadditionthatitishismajesty\'swishthattheTyroleseshouldkeepquietandnotsacrificethemselvesneedlessly。\"
\"TheArchdukeJohn。\"
\"H\'m！\"saidtheemperor，takingthepaperfromJohn\'shandandcontemplatingitattentively，\"itiswrittenquitelaconicallyindeed。But，nomatter，youhavecompliedwithmyorderanddoneyourduty。\"
\"Ithankyourmajestyforthisacknowledgment。AndnowthatIhavedonemyduty，Irequestyourmajestytobesograciousastodismissmefromyourservice，andpermitmetoretirefromthecourtintoprivatelife。Ifeelweakandexhausted，andneedrepose。Moreover，sincewehavepeacenow，myservicesaresuperfluousandmaybeeasilydispensedwith。\"
\"Andyouwishmetodismissyouveryspeedily，doyounot？\"askedtheemperor，sarcastically。\"Youwouldliketoretireasquicklyaspossibleintoprivatelife，thatthewholeworld，and，aboveall，thedearTyrolese，mayperceivethatthenobleandbelovedArchdukeJohnisdissatisfiedwiththetreaty，andhasthereforewithdrawninangerfromthecourtandserviceofhisemperor？IamsorrythatI
cannotaffordyouthissatisfaction。Youwillremainintheservice;
Idonotacceptyourresignation。Idonotpermityoutoretireintoprivatelife。Youshoulddevoteyourabilitiestothestate;youarenotallowedtowithholdyourservicesfromitatthisjuncture。\"
\"Yourmajesty，Icannolongerbeusefultothestate。Iamexhaustedtodeath。Irepeatmyrequestinthemosturgentmanner:
dismissmefromtheservice，andpermitmetoretireintoprivatelife。\"
\"What！\"criedFrancis，vehemently。\"Youremperorhasinformedyouofhiswill，andyoudaretoopposeit？Thatisaviolationofsubordination，forwhichtheemperor，assupremecommanderofhisarmy，wouldpunishhisrebelliousgeneralrigorously，butforthefactthatthisgeneralunfortunatelyishisbrother。Irepeatit，I
donotacceptyourresignation。Youremainintheservice;Idemanditasyourgeneral—in—chief;Iremindyouoftheoathofallegiancewhichyouhavesworntome，youremperorandmaster。\"
\"YourmajestydoesrightinremindingmeoftheoathItook，\"saidthearchduke，withfreezingcoldness。\"Itistrue，Isworethatoath;andasIaminthehabitofkeepingmyword，andasitisdisgracefulforanyonetobreakhiswordandperjurehimself，I
shallfulfilmyoath。Hence，Ishallobeymyemperorandgeneral—in—
chief，andnotleavetheservice。ButnowIaskleaveofyourmajestytowithdrawforto—day，ifyourmajestyhasnothingfurthertosaytome。\"
\"Yes，Ihavesomethingelsetosaytoyou，mydearbrother，\"saidtheemperor，smilingly。\"IwillgiveyouaproofofthegreatconfidencewhichIreposeinyou，andwithwhichIcountuponyourdiscretion。IwillcommunicatetoyouafamilysecretwhichisknownatpresentonlytotheEmperorNapoleon，BaronvonThugut，whoactedasmyagentonthisoccasion，andmyself。\"
\"What！\"askedJohn，insurprise;\"theEmperorNapoleonisawareofafamilysecretofyourmajesty？\"
\"Asitconcernshimself，hemustbeawareofit，\"saidtheemperor。
\"Napoleonintendstomarryasecondtime。\"
\"Asecondtime？Hashisfirstwife，theEmpressJosephine，then，diedsuddenly？\"
\"No，shestilllives，andisactingyetatthismomentinParisastheemperor\'slegitimateconsort。ButNapoleon，immediatelyafterhisreturnfromGermany，willannulthismarriage，whichwasneverconsecratedbyapriest;hewilldivorcehimselfsolemnlyfromhiswife，andhavethentherightofmarryingasecondtime。Herequestedmysecretagent，BaronvonThugut，toaskmeifIwouldconsenttoamarriagebetweenhimandanarchduchessofAustria。I
repliedintheaffirmative，andthisagreementformsoneofthesecretarticlesofthetreatyofpeace。\"
\"AnarchduchessofAustriaistobecometheconsortoftheFrenchdespot！\"criedJohn，indismay。\"Andwho，yourmajesty，istobesacrificedtotheMinotaur？Whichofyoursistersorcousinswillyoulethimhave？\"
\"Noneofmycousinsorsisters，\"saidFrancis，calmly，\"butmyeldestdaughter，MariaLouisa，istobecometheconsortoftheEmperorNapoleon。\"
\"MariaLouisa！，\"criedJohn，withanexpressionofdismay。\"MariaLouisa！\"
AndJohnstaggeredbackseveralsteps，aspaleasacorpse，andgraspedthebackofthechairinordernottosinktothefloor。
Francisdidnotseemtoperceivethis。\"Yes，MariaLouisawillbeNapoleon\'ssecondconsort，\"hesaid。\"Everythingissettledalready，andthemarriagewilltakeplacenextMarch。Ithink，brother，youmaystandproxyforNapoleononthatoccasion。\"
Thearchdukegaveastart，andpressedhishandstohistemplesasifhewereafraidlestthisdreadful\"familysecret\"wouldbursthishead。
\"Yourmajesty，\"hesaid，inatremulousandalmostinaudiblevoice，\"Ibegleavetowithdraw。\"
Withoutwaitingforareply，thearchduketurnedandlefttheroomwithatotteringstep，andleaningnowandthenagainstthewallinordernottosinktothefloor。
Theemperorlookedafterhim，smilingly。\"ItseemsHudelistwasnotmistaken，\"hesaid。\"MydearbrotherreallylovedMariaLouisa，andintendedtobecomemyson—in—law。Whataniceidea！Buthemustgiveitupnow。He——HolyVirgin！Whatnoiseisthatintheanteroom？Whatfelltothefloorthere？\"
Theemperorsteppedquicklytothedoorandopenedit。\"Whatisthematterhere\"heasked。
\"Yourmajesty，\"exclaimedthefootman，whohastenedtohim，\"thearchdukefaintedandfelltothefloor，strikingwithhisheadagainstthecornerofachair，andwoundinghisforehead，whichisbleedingcopiously。\"
\"Well，Ihopeitisonlyaslightscratch，\"saidtheemperor，composedly。\"Carrythearchduketohisbedchamberandsendformysurgeon。Iwillafterwardcallonhimmyself。\"
Withouttakinganyfurthernoticeofthearchduke，theemperorreturnedintohiscabinetandclosedthedoorafterhim。
\"Hefainted，\"saidFrancis，triumphantly。\"Henceforthheshallbeentirelypowerless。Nooneshallhaveanypowerherebutmyself。Ah，Ihavebrokenhispride，benthiswill，andprostratedhimatmyfeet。Allmybrothersshallbowtome，acknowledgemeastheirmaster，andobeyme。Ah，IbelieveIhaveplayedabadtrickonmybrothers。TheArchdukeJohnwillnotbecomeDukeofTyrol;theGrand—dukeFerdinandofWuertzburgwillnotbeEmperorofAustria，forNapoleonwillbecomemyson—in—law，andhewilltakegoodcarenottodeprivehisfather—in—lawofhisthrone。Ialoneam，andshallremain，EmperorofAustria。\"
CHAPTERXL。
DREADFULTIDINGS。
AlltheTyrolesewereinthehighestexcitementandterror。Palefacesweretobeseeneverywhere，andnothingwasheardbuttheanxiousquery:\"Isittrue？HasouremperorreallymadepeacewithBonaparte？Isittruethathehasabandonedusentirely，andthatwearetobecomeagainsubjectsofFranceandBavaria？\"
Andsome，ofthetimidanddisheartenedsighed:\"Itistrue！WereadsoyesterdayintheInnspruckGazette，andtheViceroyofItalyhassenttwomessengersthroughthePustervalleytoproclaimthattheEmperorsofAustriaandFranceconcludedatreatyofpeaceonthe14thofOctober，andthattheTyrolesearetolaydowntheirarmsandbecomeagainsubjectsofFranceandBavaria。\"
\"Itisnottrue！\"criedtheboldandcourageous。\"TheEmperorFrancishasnotmadepeacewithBonaparte;andifhehas，hehascertainlynotabandonedtheTyrol，butstipulatedthatweremainwithAustria;forhepledgedushiswordthatwe，should，andtheemperorwillredeemhispromise。\"
\"Itisnottrue;thereisnopeace，andwearestillatwarwiththeBavariansandFrench，\"criedJosephSpeckbacher，\"andwewillcontinuethewar。\"
\"Yes，wewill，\"shoutedhisbravemen。
AndasSpeckbachersaid，sodidAndreasHofer，sodidJoachimHaspinger，sodidAnthonyWallner，JacobSieberer，andalltheintrepidcommandersofthesharpshooters。
Ledbytheseheroicmen，theTyroleseformedagainalargearmy，whichtookpositiononMountIsel，andawaitedtheretheBavarianswhoweremarchinguponInnspruckunderthecommandofthecrownprinceLouis。
Thistime，however，theTyrolesewerenotvictorious;theBavariansexpelledthemfromInnspruck，and，onthe29thofOctober，thecrownprinceLouisofBavariamadehistriumphalentryintothecity，afterabloodybattleoffourdays\'durationonMountIselandneartheJudenstein。ApartoftheTyroleseforcesremainedonMountIsel，andanotherparthastenedwithunbrokencouragetootherregions，tomeetthearmiesoftheenemyanddrivethembeyondthefrontiersofthecountry。
AnthonyWallnerreturnedwithhissharpshooterstothePustervalley，andadvancedthenceagainstGeneralRusca，whowascomingupfromCarinthiawithhiscorps;heintendedtodefendthefrontiersofhiscountry，againsthimandGeneralBaraguayd\'Hilliers，whowasalsoapproachingwithastrongforce。
JosephSpeckbachermarchedhisintrepidmentotheZillervalleyandtheMuhlbachPass，whereheunitedwithJoachimHaspinger，andadvancedwithhimupontheenemy。
Allwereingoodspirits，andnoonebelievedinthedreadfultidingswhichatfirsthadfrightenedthemallsomuch:noonebelievedthatpeacehadbeenmade。
AndreasHoferhimselfthoughtthenewswasfalse。HehadremainedcourageousandundauntedinspiteofthedisastrousbattleonMountIsel，andhesentmessengersthroughoutthecountry，callinguponallable—bodiedmentotakeuparmsandattacktheenemy，whohadinvadedtheTyroloncemore。HewasstillencampedwithhisarmynearMountIsel，andhadestablishedhisheadquartersatSteinach。
ThecrownprinceofBavariahadsenttohimhithertwoplenipotentiaries，whoinformedhimthatpeacehadreallybeenconcluded，andthattheTyrolesehadnocourseleftbutsubmission。
ButAndreasHoferrepliedtotheseplenipotentiaries，shakinghisheadindignantly，\"Thatisameanlie;theEmperorFrancis，ourbelovedmaster，willneverabandonhisloyalTyrolese。Hepledgedushisword，andhewillkeepit。Yourintentionistodeceiveus，butyoucannotcatchusbysuchstratagems。WebelieveintheemperorandthegoodGod，andneitherofthemwilleverabandonus！\"
AndAndreasHoferreturnedtohisroomwithacalmsmileandwenttobed。
Inthedeadofnight，however，hewassuddenlyarousedfromhissleep。CajetanDoeningerstoodathisbedsideandinformedhimthattheintendantofthePustervalley，BaronvonWorndle，hadarrivedwithanenvoyoftheEmperorFrancis，BaronvonLichtenthurn，andbothwishedurgentlytoseethecommander—in—chief。
\"Iwilladmitthem，\"saidHofer，risinghastily;\"Godgrantthattheyarethebearersofgoodnews！\"
HedressedhimselfquicklyandfollowedDoeningerintotheroom，wherehefoundthetwoenvoysandseveralmembersofhissuite。
\"Nowtellme，gentlemen，whatnewsdoyoubringtous？\"askedHofer，shakinghandswiththetwoenvoys。
\"Nogoodnews，commander—in—chief，\"sighedBaronvonWorndle，\"butthereisnouseincomplaining;wemustsubmitpatientlytowhatcannotbehelped。TheEmperorFrancishasmanepeacewithFrance。\"
\"Doyousinginthatstraintoo，Mr。Intendant？\"askedAndreas，withamournfulsmile。\"IshallneverbelieveituntilIseeitinblackandwhite，anduntiltheemperororthedearArchdukeJohninformsmeofit。\"
\"Ibringittoyouinblackandwhite，\"exclaimedBaronvonLichtenthurn，drawingapaperfromhisbosomandhandingittoAndreas。\"HereisaletterfromtheArchdukeJohn，whichIamtodelivertoyou。\"
Hoferhastilyseizedthepaper，whichcontainedthatproclamationwhichtheArchdukeJohnhadwrittenatTotis，andreaditagainandagainslowlyandattentively。Whilehewasdoingso，hischeeksturnedpale，hisbreathissuedheavilyandpainfullyfromhisbreast，andthepaperrustledinhistremblinghands。
\"Itisimpossible！Icannotbelieveit！\"heexclaimed，mournfully，gazinguponthepaper。\"TheArchdukeJohndidnotwritethis。Justlookatit，hissealisnotaffixedtothepaper。Sir，howcanyousaythatthisletterisfromtheArchdukeJohn？Whereistheseal？
Whereistheaddress？\"
\"Well，itisnoprivateletter，\"saidBaronvonLichtenthurn;\"itisanopenletter，aproclamation，whichIaminstructedtoshowtoeverybodyintheTyrol。Aproclamationcannotcontainasealandanaddress。ButtheArchdukeJohnsentit;hehimselfwroteeverywordofit。\"
\"Idonotbelieveit！\"criedAndreas，inatriumphantvoice;\"no，I
donotbelieveit。Youarealiar，andwanttobetrayus。Lookathim，myfriends;seehowpaleheturns，andhowhetrembles！ForI
tellyouhehasabadconscience。BringmetheArchdukeJohn\'sseal，andthenIwillbelievethatthepaperisfromhim。But，asitis，I
lookuponitasacunningdevicegotupbytheenemytoentrapme。
Arresthim;hemustconfessall。Iwillnotallowmyselftobecaughtbycunningandtreachery！\"[Footnote:AndreasHofer\'sownwords。——SeeHormayr\'s\"AndreasHofer，\"vol。ii，p。490。]
Helaidhisheavyhandupontheshoulderofthebaron，whosanktothefloor，utteringaloudcryofdistress，andfellintofearfulconvulsions。
\"See！\"criedAndreas，\"thatisthepunishmentofHeaven！ThehandofGodhasstruckhim。Heisatraitor，whointendedtosellustotheFrench。\"
\"No，heisanhonorableman，andhastoldyouthetruth，\"saidBaronvonWorndle，gravely。\"Yourviolentaccusationfrightenedhim;andhefellintoanepilepticfit。Heisaffectedwiththatdisease。\"
[Footnote:Ibid。]
Heandsomeofthebystandersraisedtheunfortunatebaronfromtheground，andcarriedhimintotheadjoiningroom。HethenreturnedtoAndreas，whowaswalkingupanddownwithahastystep，andmurmuringtohimself，\"Icannotbelieveit！TheArchdukeJohndidnotwriteit。Hishandwouldhavewitheredwhilewritingit。Hedidnotdoit。\"
\"Yes，Andreas，hedid，\"saidWorndle，gravely;\"hewasobligedtosubmit，asweallshallhavetodo。TheArchdukeJohnwasobligedtoyieldtothewillofhisemperorasweshallhavetodo。Thetreatyofpeacehasbeenconcluded。Thereisnodoubtofit。\"
\"LordGod！thetreatyofpeacehasbeenconcluded，andtheemperorabandonsus？\"criedAndreas。