e
and displeasure. 'How is this? were you not an episcopalian?'

'Certainly,' answered Hanslein, 'with body and soul, until the day
before yesterday. On that day I got into a quarrel with my serjeant
while drinking with him, and laid my blade over his head in a way that
he will not easily forget. Life is as dear to me as to any other man,
and therefore I made my way out of the bishop's camp, rode over to
yours, and now let your orator but once more wash my head, and I am
prepared to contend bravely with my old brethren in arms.'

'When the chief prophet holds you worthy of being received into our
community!' sharply observed Eliza, who was highly offended at the
frivolous conversation of the renegade.

'The worthy tailor has already received me with open arms,' answered
Hanslein. 'I have become captain of the seventh company, and am
quartered with the burgomaster-hangman Knipperdolling, where we have
wine and women in abundance.'

Eliza rose up indignant, and silently motioned to Clara to follow her.
The latter obeyed, and the two friends were left alone.

'A pair of pretty maidens!' said Hanslein, looking admiringly after
them; 'and you are indeed a lucky dog, to be a favorite with both.'

'I am the promised bridegroom of the eldest,' answered Alf, 'and know
my duty.'

'An anabaptist, and so affectedly coy?' laughed the hair-brained
fellow. 'You court them both at the same time, I'll be sworn; and
should any one attack you on that account, you need only refer to the
example of our chief prophet.'

'It cannot be possible!' exclaimed Alf with abhorrence.

At this moment Clara stepped into the room, placed before Alf a pitcher
of wine and two goblets, and then again retired.

Hanslein observed her attentively, and said as she went out, 'deny no
longer, you rogue, that both the maidens are yours. I found you in the
arms of one of them, and the long, tender glance which the other just
now threw upon you, confesses enough.'

'I tell you that you are mistaken!' cried Alf impatiently, filling the
cups to the brim; 'leave your joking, and join me in drinking success
to our good cause.'

'With all my heart!' said Hanslein, striking his glass against Alf's,
and then pouring down the wine; 'although I am not yet quite clear as
to exactly where the good cause is to be found, here, or in the camp of
our old master. To return once more to my former theme, you render life
needlessly unpleasant both to yourself and to th