hold appeared
the serious figure of Bertram. He had fulfilled the vow which he had
made to himself, and carefully and attentively watched and guarded
every step of Elise; and while Gotzkowsky was absent from home night
and day faithfully serving his country, Bertram had been a vigilant
sentinel over his daughter. Indeed, Gotzkowsky's house had been, to
all appearance, perfectly safe; it was the sanctuary and refuge of all
the unfortunate, the only secure place where they could bestow their
valuables. Russian sentinels stood before the house, and Tottleben's
adjutant had his residence in it. But this security only applied to
the _house_. As long as Elise kept herself within-doors, Bertram had
no fear. But there was the large garden in which she loved to roam for
hours together, and especially her favorite resort at the extreme end
of the same, not far from the wall, which was so easy to climb.

Bertram had not ventured to restrain Elise from visiting this solitary
and secluded spot, but he had followed her on her visits to it. There,
hidden behind some tree he had, with the patience and perseverance of
which love alone is capable, watched the young girl, who was neither
desirous of nor grateful for guardianship. This very day he had
followed her softly and unperceived into the garden. Then, when he had
ascertained whither she directed her steps, he had returned into the
house to complete some important business of Gotzkowsky. But impelled
by anxious and unaccountable restlessness, he had hastened back into
the garden; at a distance he heard Elise's cry for help, and, rushing
forward, had come up just in time to see her raised over the wall by
the Cossacks.

Stunned by horror at this sight, Bertram stood for a moment
motionless. He then felt but one desire, one resolve, and that was--to
rescue her. He hurried to the house for the purpose of proceeding
to General Tottleben and invoking his assistance and support. But a
sudden and painful thought arrested his steps.

Suppose that Elise had not gone against her will? Suppose that this
had been a preconcerted abduction to which the semblance of violence
had only been given in order, in case of failure, to maintain Elise's
reputation free from stain?

With a sigh of anguish he recalled to mind when Elise had hidden
her lover in her bedchamber that night when Gotzkowsky had delivered
Feodor over to the Austrians. Since then father and daughter had not
met, and no word of r