登陆注册
5426900000169

第169章

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 Bavarians--Sieberer, Frischmann, and Eisenstecken--had 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, "Omy 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. Ihave 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.

同类推荐
  • 怪术

    怪术

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Poems

    Poems

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Moon and Sixpence

    The Moon and Sixpence

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 长行经

    长行经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说光明童子因缘经

    佛说光明童子因缘经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 圣无动尊安镇家国等法

    圣无动尊安镇家国等法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 用100%的努力争取1%的机会

    用100%的努力争取1%的机会

    世上可怕的事是:比你聪明的人,还比你努力。为了得偿所愿,你必须用100%的努力去争取1%的机会。朋友,努力吧——努力到无能为力,拼搏到感动自己!
  • 老子翼

    老子翼

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 巵林

    巵林

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 最初的你是我最后的爱

    最初的你是我最后的爱

    顾念以为她得到了世上最美的爱情,结果得到的却是无尽的报复与欺骗。时隔经年,当她再次遇见他,一个是手残的画家,带着一个不会说话的女儿,一个是富有的新贵,有个高雅美丽的青梅相伴。宋怀承以为自己对她恨之入骨,却不知道有一种心动,不曾表白,早已深入骨髓。“我将用一生重新来过,安静地守护着你,爱你,永远。”
  • 一念情深,萧先生爱太浓

    一念情深,萧先生爱太浓

    苏槿在酒吧邂逅了,全南城最金贵的萧先生。第一次见面他将她抵在了洗手台上,“别说话……”吻我,一个重重的吻。第二次在实习单位他是她上司,滥用权利,层层引诱,遭人非议,“他们都说我们有一腿,你要不要出面澄清下?”男人欺身而上,身体力行的让她知道他们的确不止一腿……情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 如果你遇见我哭

    如果你遇见我哭

    短篇青春小说集。一切的一切,也许只是一个意外,就好像礼炮响过,白色追光中急遽飞舞的金色碎屑,喧嚣之后,又该沉淀何处?看见的,熄灭了,消失的,记住了,没等尘埃落定,美好的心情已然疲惫,藉着无边的大雨遁逃于漆黑的夜。
  • Legends and Lyrics

    Legends and Lyrics

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 双生宠妃:王爷!来战!

    双生宠妃:王爷!来战!

    凤白羽时运不济,刺杀敌军反被刺杀,好不容易捡回一条小命,又背着为国征战壮烈牺牲的英名,被自己的庶妹捅死。再睁眼时却成了敌国主将的三闺女,名声尽毁也抵不过天生草包。好歹也是曾经的盛世女将,铮铮铁骨启容尔等愚民欺辱?在敌国混的照样风生水起,准备提着御赐大刀一路砍回凤王府,顺带带回去个可爱小王爷,性臭屁喜傲娇,放荡不羁的皮囊下隐藏着一颗不想跪狼牙棒的心。“宿敌挚友,把酒言欢,你我对弈三年不见其人,而今化干戈为床榻,快来!”
  • 郎咸平说:新帝国主义在中国

    郎咸平说:新帝国主义在中国

    本书取名“新帝国主义在中国”,并不是危言耸听,更不是为了激起所谓的极端民族主义情绪,而是要警示国人,尤其是政府部门和民族企业,彻底丢掉幻想,在认清帝国主义新本质的前提下,与之进行有效的竞争和合作!在当下的全球性时代,力争成为游戏规则的制定者之一,才是我们的理性应对之道。