, and my
poor old heart still weeps for the dead, but it is also content that the
king calls for another sacrifice. I have one other son; he is unmarried,
has no one to take care of, neither wife nor child nor his old father,
for, thank God, I still have strength to support myself. Go, then, my
son Charles Henry, the king calls you; and if it must be so, lie down
like your brothers in a heroic grave."

He ceased and laid his hand, as if with a blessing, upon his son's head;
but Henry did not partake of his father's enthusiasm. His face was pale
as death, and his powerful frame trembled as if with fever.

Anna Sophia saw it; her beaming face paled, and her eye sank down with
shame.

The officer, who had noticed the dejection of the people, wished to give
them time to recover.

"Leave every thing alone until tomorrow," he said. "Tomorrow, sir mayor,
you will hand me the list, and I am sure that the unmarried boys will
obey their king's call with joy. Now, sir mayor, I beg you to conduct me
to the courthouse, where I will pass the night, and see that my soldiers
find good quarters there, and in the village."

He nodded kindly to the people, and accompanied by the mayor, moved
onward. The crowd followed them silently, and the gay village boys
danced gleefully around the fine procession.

CHAPTER III. THE CERTIFICATE OF ENLISTMENT.

Anna Sophia returned to her solitary home in deep meditation, and
not even in the stillness of her room could she regain her accustomed
serenity and cheerfulness. Her thoughts were far away; for the first
time her room appeared to her gloomy and deserted. The memories of the
past did not now speak to her, and when she threw herself upon her bed,
it was without having bid her parents goodnight.

But even then she could find no rest. Strange visions were wafted before
her waking eyes, wonderful dreams took hold of her senses. She saw her
victorious king standing before her, his sparkling eyes beckoning her to
follow him. Then she saw herself in the front of an army, the fluttering
banner in her hand, the glittering shield on her breast, followed by
many brave warriors, who were all gazing proudly upon her. And again
she saw herself. But now she was all alone--alone by the side of an open
grave, with a gaping wound in her breast, raising her weary eyes upward
and murmuring with pale lips, "How sweet to die for one's country!" Then
the brothers of her betrothed raised themselves slow