e youth eagerly drained it, while his eyes were
immovably fixed upon the dispenser, who was so disturbed by his gaze
that she forgot the last words of the ritual, and, covered with crimson
blushes, proceeded to his next neighbor. As Eliza, who followed her,
rustled by Alf's seat, she gave him a strange look with those eyes
which in former times had made him so happy. There was much in that
glance--repentance, grief, rage and jealousy--while through the whole
was yet to be discerned a glimpse of her former love; but the
impression, which that glance made upon Alf, was not strong enough to
withdraw his attention from the first queen, and he followed her, as
she went along the ranks, with gleaming eyes.

At that moment his friend Hanslein passed his hand over his eyes, and
said in an under tone, 'forget not my brother, that it is the first
queen after whom you are gazing, and that our lord the king allows no
jesting in such affairs.'

'Let him come and call me to account!' blustered Alf. 'I will so defend
myself, that of a thousand questions he shall not answer one. Already
in possession of the masterpiece of the universe, and able to make his
selection from all the beauty of Munster, he has yet torn my promised
bride from my heart, like the merciless rich man in the bible, who,
despite his numerous flocks, must rob his poor neighbor of his only
lamb, to satisfy his wicked appetite.'

In the hymn of praise, with the singing of which by the whole assembly
the festival was closed, the complaints of the youth were lost, until
with much difficulty Hanslein finally succeeded in assuaging his anger.

The king now once more presented himself before the multitude; this
time in full regal attire, with all the insignia of his high office,
and surrounded by his insignia bearers and guards. With a loud voice he
asked the people whether they were prepared to fulfil the will of God,
and to live and die for the faith. Like the murmuring of the ocean
before a storm, a loud awful 'Aye!' roared through the human mass
standing there.

Then from behind the king, pressed forward a new prophet, named
Wahrendorf. 'Thus saith the Lord,' cried he with a glowing fanatical
enthusiasm: 'choose a number from among my people of Zion, and let them
go out to all the ends of the earth, to work miracles and do my work
publicly before all people. Whoever receives this command and obeys it
not, shall die the death.'

The prophet then drew forth a scro