that yellow-headed skulk of a Prince and that dough-faced Messalina

of a Princess, march 'em back foremost over the borders, and

proclaim the Baron Gondremark first President. I've heard them say

it in a speech. I was at a meeting once at Brandenau, and the

Mittwalden delegates spoke up for fifteen thousand. Fifteen

thousand, all brigaded, and each man with a medal round his neck to

rally by. That's all Gondremark.'

'Ay, sir, you see what it leads to; wild talk to-day, and wilder

doings to-morrow,' said the old man. 'For there is one thing

certain: that this Gondremark has one foot in the Court backstairs,

and the other in the Masons' lodges. He gives himself out, sir, for

what nowadays they call a patriot: a man from East Prussia!'

'Give himself out!' cried Fritz. 'He is! He is to lay by his title

as soon as the Republic is declared; I heard it in a speech.'

'Lay by Baron to take up President?' returned Killian. 'King Log,

King Stork. But you'll live longer than I, and you will see the

fruits of it.'

'Father,' whispered Ottilia, pulling at the speaker's coat, 'surely

the gentleman is ill.'

'I beg your pardon,' cried the farmer, rewaking to hospitable

thoughts; 'can I offer you anything?'

'I thank you. I am very weary,' answered Otto. 'I have presumed

upon my strength. If you would show me to a bed, I should be

grateful.'

'Ottilia, a candle!' said the old man. 'Indeed, sir, you look

paley. A little cordial water? No? Then follow me, I beseech you,

and I will bring you to the stranger's bed. You are not the first

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