For our struggle
is one both of vengeance and love. Since then we have longed to be
enlisted by you, madame, and to take our oath of fidelity."
"I accept it in the name of Major von Lutzow," said the lady, with a
gentle smile. "Here are your numbers, and now give me your names
that I may enter them in the recruiting book." She approached the
table on which the large open book was lying, and quickly noted down
the names which the two volunteers gave, affixing the numbers
already given. "Now, then," she said, kindly, nodding to them, "you
are enlisted in the sacred service of the fatherland, and I hope you
will do your duty. I hope you--"
At this moment the door was opened hastily, and a young man rushed
into the room.
"Theodore Korner!" ejaculated the lady, greeting him cordially.
"Yes, Madame von Lutzow, it is I," exclaimed the young man, saluting
the two volunteers--"it is I, and I come to you a prey to boundless
despair!"
Madame von Lutzow hastened to him, and looked with an expression of
heart-felt sympathy into his handsome, pale face.
"Yes, indeed," she said, "your face looks like a cloud from which
thunder and lightning may be expected at any moment. What is the
matter? What has happened to you, my poet and hero?"
"Come, let us go," whispered Caroline to her friend.
"No, let us stay," said Leonora, in a low voice.
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