“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, and she has no ears for you!” “This is a plot--a shameful plot!” cried Frau von Werrig, stamping her feet. “That good-for-nothing creature, Trude, is in it. She has locked the doors, and the schoolmaster paid her for it.” Trude shook her fist at her mistress behind the door. “Wait! that good-for-nothing creature will punish you! You shall have something to be angry about with me every day.” “I swear to you that I do not know who locked the doors,” replied Moritz, calmly. “But whoever did it, I thank them from the depths of my soul, for it forces you to listen to me, and may love give my words the power to soften your heart. General and Frau von Werrig, I conjure you to have compassion upon us. Is it possible that you are deaf to the cry of grief of your own child?” Suddenly assuming a contemptuous calm, Frau von Werrig sank back upon the divan with great dignity. “As I am obliged to listen to you, through a shameful deception, let it be so. Try to make ears in my heart, which you say is deaf. Let me listen to your wonderful eloquence!” “Oh, Philip!” said Marie, clasping his arms, “you see it will all be in vain.”