'Protect us, Oswald,' begged Faith, leaning tremblingly upon the youth. 'While I live!' answered he, grasping his sword. 'Save yourselves--the converters are coming!' cried Jonas, rushing into the room. 'It must be a false alarm,' cried Oswald. 'You must be mistaken.' 'I was told so by a farmer who has just returned from Waldenburg. He was about to leave that city, when a squadron of the Lichtenstein dragoons entered it. They dismounted for breakfast, and he had it from the mouth of one of the soldiers that this village was their place of destination. Whereupon he immediately left the city and drove home as fast as possible to give the alarm.' 'Then we must have at least an hour's start of them,' said Oswald; and turning to madam Rosen, 'if you feel able to travel, I will immediately provide a conveyance to Bohemia.' 'No, my son,' said the matron, with a melancholy smile. 'For this time I must remain here and await the providence of God. I should only hinder you in your flight, and you would at last have only a corpse to convey across the border.' 'I stir not from your side!' sobbed the tender Faith, clasping her mother with anxious affection. 'That would be folly, my child,' said the mother, earnestly, 'and a very childish demonstration of your love. You and your betrothed are the objects of the search of our persecutors. They would have little desire to encumber themselves with me. I have wandered here as a peasant woman, and our hostess can give them to understand, that I am a yarn gatherer suddenly taken ill at her house. Your charms, and Oswald's stately figure render it impossible for you to be concealed in the same way, and therefore you must instantly forth.' 'Never!' cried Faith, wringing her hands. 'It is my will,' said the mother, with decision. 'Will you, my daughter, increase the sorrows of your sick mother by disobedience, and betray by your presence what otherwise may remain undiscovered? Would you see your lover fall before your eyes, unable to defend you against superior force?' 'I obey,' sighed Faith; and she hastened to pack a small bundle and put on her cloak. 'By the holy faith which we profess in common,' said the hostess, 'you leave your mother in good hands.' 'I am sure of that, and consequently depart with confidence,' said Oswald, leading the inconsolable maiden to her mother's bed-side. With bright eyes the mother placed her daughter's hand in that of Oswald. 'Be ye one, here and hereafter!' cried she. 'That is my blessing upon your espousals; and now let me beg of you to go directly, without any leave-taking, for which I have not strength, and which will rob you of time, every moment of which is invaluable.' Faith attempted to speak again, but her mother pointed towards the door, and Oswald led her forth. CHAPTER XVII.