Speak!" the voices repeated; and the question was asked for the third
time, "Will you renounce all, and become naked, poor, and helpless?"

"No. I will not!"

A pause ensued: then Weidmann said in a re-assuring tone, "And why
not?"

"Because it is not my duty, and I have no right to relinquish what was
intrusted to me,--to transfer my responsibilities even to the highest
and noblest. I am required myself to watch and work."

"Where is your obedience? Can you be a soldier, a fighter in the cause
of humanity, and not obey? Do you know what obedience is?"

"I think I do. I am ordered, for my part of the great campaign, to hold
a certain post, and I pledge my life that I will be faithful without
knowing why I am stationed just there. This is a soldier's duty, as I
understand it. But in life it seems to me different. What right have
you, more than another, to say, 'Intrust your possessions to us, that
we may dispose of them as we think fit'? Here I stand, with I know not
whom about me: I only know the voice of my noble friend Weidmann, and
him I trust: Wherever he is, I will take my place at his side, and
stand there blindfold. My eyes are bandaged; but I can look within, and
I know that I am in duty bound, according to my strength and my wisdom,
with the free assistance of others, to make the best of my life and
endowments; but I will not give myself and my life away blindfold. Take
me back! Reject me if I am wrong; but I cannot do otherwise."

"Off with the bandages! Off with the bandages!" was now vociferated for
the third time by the whole assembly.

The strains of an organ were heard in the distance. Roland's bandage
was removed, and a veil thrown over his head, that he might not be
dazzled by the light.

When the veil was removed, he stood with Eric on one side and Adams on
the other.

Weidmann spoke the words of initiation; and Roland, kneeling, humbly
took the oath, with Eric's hand resting on his right shoulder, and
Adams's on his left. Swords clashed, and in the distance singing was
heard with an organ accompaniment.

The powerful singer whom we heard at Herr Endlich's entertainment, and
at Wolfsgarten, sang here in the arched hall a pathetic air in a rich
bass voice; and all hearts were gently soothed.

Roland arose. Weidmann kissed him, and afterwards embraced his brother
Eric on the right, and his brother Adams on the left. They received the
signs; and the so-called sign of distress, in particular,