olitely declining the goblet.

'Do you slight my proffered courtesy,' growled the captain; 'or do you
belong to the rebels, that you refuse to drink the emperor's health?'

'Drink!' imploringly begged the timid Faith, and, vanquished by the
glance which accompanied the request, the youth seized the goblet and
cried, 'May God enlighten the emperor and teach him the true way to
promote the welfare of his subjects!'

'Bravo, comrade!' cried the captain, as the goblet was drained. 'You
will never regret having entered the emperor's service. I pledge you my
word that you will be a corporal in a month.'

'What mean you by that?' asked Dorn with surprise. 'The idea of
entering the emperor's service never once came into my head.'

'You jest!' cried the miscreant. You have drank to the emperor with a
captain in the imperial service, and by that act have become a
soldier.'

'Is it possible!' cried Dorn. 'Can you so prostitute the emperor's name
as to use it for so low an artifice?'

'Not a word of opposition, fellow!' said the captain menacingly. 'You
have consented to take service under the standard of his imperial
majesty, and must abide thereby.'

'I am a free burgher of Schweidnitz,' said Dorn; 'what right have you
to hold me?'

'What right! what right! blustered the captain, striking the floor with
his sword. 'Here is my right, which is valid through all Europe.'

'I warn you, captain,' cried Dorn, 'to be cautious how you take a step
which may disgrace you without accomplishing your purpose.'

'That we shall see!' said the captain; and, going to the door, he threw
it open and cried, 'Orderly!'

A gigantic guardsman came clattering up the steps, stooped to enter the
room, and then, straitening himself up like a tall pine, thundered,
'Here!'

'Take this recruit to the guard-room,' commanded the captain, 'and
deliver him over, on my account, to the officer of the day. He may as
well be put in uniform and sworn to his colors this evening as
tomorrow.'

The colossus stepped up to Dorn, pointed to the door, and in a very
insolent tone commanded, 'March!'

Dorn hurled him back with great force, and drew from his pocket a
sealed document which he held up to the view of the captain. 'My
commission as captain in the royal Danish service,' said he, 'protects
me against the honor of serving under you. The duke of Friedland shall
satisfy himself of its authenticity to-morrow. To me you must make
reparation, upon the s