Moritz,
will you tell me by what right you force yourself into our house, and
surprise us like a street-thief in our peaceful dwelling? But no! you
need not tell me, I will not listen to you. Those who permit themselves
to enter our room unasked and unwelcomed--I will have nothing to say to
them. Leave! there is the door! Out with you, off the threshold!"

With calm demeanor, Moritz now approached Fran von Werrig, demanding
her pardon, saying: "You see, madame, that I am not so unwelcome here,
therefore you will be obliged to let me remain."

"Yes, that she will," sneered Trude, outside the door. "It will be
difficult for her to send him off so long as I am unwilling."

"No, I will not permit it. We have nothing to do with each other. Out of
my sight!--Away!"

"Away!" cried the general. "Oh, the gout, the maddening pains! I cannot
throw the bold fellow out of the house! I must lie here, and writhe like
a worm! I cannot be master of my house. Oh, oh! what pain!"

"Stay, Philip," whispered Marie, as she again leaned toward Moritz.
"They wish to sell me and force me to a hated marriage. Do not yield!
save me!"

"You are mine, Marie; you have sworn to me eternal constancy, and no one
can compel you to marry if you do not wish to."

"We are her parents; we can, and we will compel her," triumphantly cried
Frau von Werrig. "The king has given his consent, and if it is necessary
we will drag her to the altar by force!"

"Do it, mother, and I will say no before all the world."

"We will take care that no one hears you but the priest, and he will not
listen, as he knows that the king has commanded you to say yes!"

"But God will hear her, Frau von Werrig, and He will take vengeance on
the cruel, heartless mother."

"I will await this vengeance," she sneered. "It does not concern you,
and you need not trouble yourself about it. Leave the house!"

"I came here to speak with you, and I will not go away until you have
listened to me."

"Then I will leave, for I will not hear you, and I command you to follow
me, Marie!"

She seized Marie with irresistible force, and drew her toward the side
door, which was fast. Then hurried toward the entrance, dragging her
daughter after her, but shook it in vain; that door was fastened also.

"Oh! I could kiss myself," murmured Trude, as she patted her old,
wrinkled cheeks. "I was as cunning and wise as Solomon. There, shriek
for Trude, order her to open it. Trude is not there, a