M. Martin was silent, and quickly raised his head and looked at his
assistants, who were gazing at him inquiringly.
"You have made up your minds, then?" he asked; "when the week is up,
and your jobs are finished, you intend to leave me, and volunteer?"
"Yes, we have come to that determination," replied the three,
unanimously, "and nothing shall prevent us from carrying it out,"
"Well, then, I must close my shop, and discontinue the tailoring
business."
"But what do you intend to do, then, sir?" asked one of the
journeymen, in surprise.
"I intend to enlist!" replied M. Martin. "This beautiful lady and
the song have enchanted me. Hurrah! I also will enlist!"
"But my uniform?" asked Korner.
"Oh, you need not be concerned," exclaimed the tailor, in a proud
tone; "it shall be made! I will work all night, and not lay aside my
needle before it is done. Will you help me, journeymen?"
"Yes, sir, we will!"
"And you, too, volunteers? It is true, you are only ladies' tailors,
but you know at least how to line and pad a coat. Will you take the
job?"
"Yes, M. Martin, we will joyously do so," cried Leonora and
Caroline.
"Well, then, we can finish two uniforms by Sunday--one for the poet,
the other for myself!"
"My dear sir, I thank you from the bottom of my heart," said Madame
von Lutzow; and then, turning her radiant face to Korner, she asked,
"Are you now satisfied?"
"Ah, I knew well that no one could resist you, and that you are our
good angel," whispered the poet, pressing the hand of the lovely
lady to his lips.
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