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is high time for you to set out。 The carriage has been at the door
for upward of an hour。〃
〃I am ready；〃 said Ulrich； holding out his hand to Eliza with a
happy smile。 〃Farewell； Eliza； I shall return with your Elza in two
weeks。〃
CHAPTER XXXVII。
ELZA's RETURN。
A splendid festival was being celebrated at Innspruck on the 3d of
October； and there were great rejoicings in the city。 A message of
love and joy had reached Innspruck from the headquarters of the
Emperor Francis at Totis。 Three of the former leaders of the
Tyrolese insurrection； who had escaped to Austria at the time of the
second invasion of the BavariansSieberer； Frischmann； and
Eisensteckenhad arrived at Innspruck as couriers of the emperor。
They had succeeded in passing through Styria and Carinthia； although
both these provinces were occupied by French troops； and had safely
arrived at Innspruck amid the jubilant acclamations of the
population。 They brought cheering news from the Emperor Francis。 He
sent to the commander…in…chief of the Tyrol； his beloved and
faithful Andreas Hofer； a large gold chain and medal containing the
emperor's portrait； and he sent also three thousand florins as a
gift to the brave sharpshooters。 But better than all this was an
autograph letter from the emperor； who extolled in it the bravery of
the Tyrolese； called upon them to persevere in their resistance； and
promised that Austria would succor them vigorously with money and
troops。 The letter stated that the emperor would soon dispatch Baron
von Reschmann with funds and full instructions to the Tyrol； where
he would act as commissioner and intendant of the army； and that the
Tyrolese might confidently look for the speedy resumption of
hostilities。
These joyful tidings were received with unbounded enthusiasm； and
Andreas Hofer's face beamed with delight when he was formally
invested with the gold medal and chain in the great church of
Innspruck； at the foot of the tomb of Maximilian； by the Abbot of
Wiltau； amid the tears and acclamations of a vast concourse of
spectators； who afterward； preceded by the municipal authorities；
accompanied him in solemn procession to the imperial palace。 Andreas
presented a splendid appearance in the fine gold…embroidered uniform
which he wore to…day in honor of the celebration； in place of his
Tyrolese costume； his heavy gold chain and the medal with the
emperor's portrait； glittered under his fine black beard on his
breast； and he wore a black hat with a plume and inscription to him
as the commander…in…chief of the Tyrol； the gift of the holy
sisterhood of Innspruck。
Andreas Hofer's face shone with happiness as he walked along in this
manner amid the acclamations of the whole population and the ringing
of all the bells； but his heart was nevertheless full of humility；
and lifting his beaming eyes to heaven； he murmured to himself； 〃O
my Lord and God； Thou hast accomplished every thing； Thou hast
protected us and vouchsafed us victory！ Glory to Thee alone！
Preserve me。 O Lord； from pride and arrogance； and let me recognize
always that I am nothing but Thy unworthy servant； and that Thou
alone vouchsafest us victory and blessest our cause！〃
The imperial palace was festively decorated to…day； and a splendid
banquet was to take place there in honor of the celebration。 All the
functionaries of Innspruck had been invited； a brilliant ball was to
be given at night in the large throne…hall； and the beautiful girls
of Innspruck were to dance to the inspiring notes of the orchestra
in honor of the festive day。 For the first time Andreas Hofer had
permitted music and dancing； and all the beautiful girls of
Innspruck were preparing to take part in the brilliant festival and
enjoy the rare amusement。
All faces were radiant； even Eliza's sweet countenance was lit up
to…day with the sunshine of happiness。 A great joy had fallen to her
share to…day； for Ulrich von Hohenberg had arrived early in the
morning； and with him his uncle； old Baron von Hohenberg； and his
daughter Elza。 Ulrich bad redeemed his promise； precisely two weeks
had elapsed since his departure； and now； after these terrible days
of suspense； which Eliza had passed in tears； in silence； and at the
same time in mysterious activity； Ulrich had returned； and with him
Elza； Eliza's dearest friend。
Ulrich had looked on with an expression of quiet happiness when
Eliza embraced her Elza； again and again with tears of joy； she
knelt down repeatedly by the side of the couch on which had been
laid the old baron； whose strength had been utterly exhausted by the
journey； the excitement； and the sufferings he had endured in
prison； she pressed his hands to her lips tenderly； and withal
humbly； and thanked God that her good old friend and her Elza； the
better half of her life； bad been restored to her。
But after this impetuous and joyous meeting； the old baron felt so
very feeble that he urgently needed repose and silence； and Elza had
to conduct him to the bedroom which had been prepared for him。
Eliza and Ulrich were alone now。 She trembled； and； wishing to avoid
this tete…a…tete； glided softly to the door； but Ulrich hastened
after her and seized her hand。
〃Eliza；〃 he said； solemnly； 〃I have fulfilled all your wishes。 I
have brought back with me my uncle and your friend Elza； the King of
Bavaria accepted the exchange which I offered； he released the baron
and his daughter； and Andreas Hofer sets me free in his turn。 I am；
therefore； no longer a prisoner； and as a free man I ask you now； do
you remember the oath you swore to me on the day of my departure？〃
〃I do；〃 she whispered in a low voice。
〃Repeat the oath to me；〃 he said； imperatively。
〃My oath was as follows： 'I swear by the Holy Virgin that； if you
bring my Elza to me here； you shall receive your bride； who loves
you with infinite tenderness； at the hands of the priest。'〃
〃You have not forgotten the words； Eliza。 But will you fulfil them
now？〃
〃You insist on it？〃 she asked； looking up to him timidly and
mournfully。
〃Yes； I do；〃 he said； with a blissful smile。
〃Well； then；〃 she whispered； almost inaudibly； 〃I shall keep my
oath。〃
He uttered a joyous cry； pressed her hand to his lips； and gazed
with an expression of infinite tenderness into her blushing；
quivering face。
〃Oh； do not tremble； love；〃 he said； 〃do not look anxiously into the
future。 I shall know how to protect my wife from grief and
humiliation。 To make you happy shall be my sweetest joy； to see you
honored and recognized by society will be my incessant effort； as it
will be my bounden duty。 You will fulfil your oath； and you must do
it this very day。 Let me go； then； and get a priest； and you； my
sweet girl； place a myrtle…wreath on your head； for I shall call for
you soon and conduct you triumphantly to the great church of
Innspruck； for our marriage shall take place publicly and in the
face of the whole population。〃
〃No； sir；〃 she said； shaking her head gently。 〃I will redeem my
promise； but I beg； nay； I implore you； permit me to make all
necessary arrangements； and let me have for once my own way。〃
〃And what do you wish； th