But, as we have said, his efforts had been all in vain; and it was with a somewhat disturbed feeling, approaching almost to anger, that he ascended the stairs and gained admission to the apartments of Doctor Martin. His friends followed him, in high excitement.

"You have caught me, my good lord,” cried Luther, holding forth his broad, hearty hand, "you have caught me. I was only preparing my rehearsal."

"God grant it be one, Reverend Father," answered Arensberg. "We have come hither, first to avow our sympathy; and, secondly, to ask what commands your Reverence would issue for your flight from Worms," he added, with grave emphasis.

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Flight, my lord?" demanded Martin Luther. Why, I came here only a few hours ago. Why should I fly?"

Yes, fly and we will bear you company. Fly! for you have to deal with men that have no honour," interposed Rupert. "Fly! there is our own good castle; but reach it, and you are safe."

"Is this your mission, my Lord Arensberg?" returned Martin Luther. He took no heed of the entreaties of the younger noble, though his affectionate smile upon him showed how thoroughly he appreciated his ardour.

"Is this, and this only, the object of your mission?" he asked again, as Count Arensberg stood before him, silent.

"Then you will not fly, Reverend Father?"

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Fly? never! Did I not come hither? Who forced me? Have I not a duty to perform? And you, my lord, must tell me that no soldier should shrink from duty. I am the soldier of Jesus Christ. Here I stand."

"Then we will all stand by you! Brothers, we will, will we not? We will never play fast and loose. Be of good courage, Father Martin."

So saying, Count Arensberg was about to take his leave, when Doctor Martin stayed him.

"Give me but some few moments with you, my good lord," said Luther. "I have that whereof to speak to you, which needs must be in private. No treason, I can tell you," he continued, turning to the young noble beside the knight. "Did I not myself invite your brother to a private interview ? "

"You are alone, already," answered Rupert, smiling, as he retired and beckoned to his escort to retire with him.

And then came another and equally characteristic trait of the great Reformer. Ready was he always to diverge off from his personal interests, in order to promote or to sympathize with the interests of others. So, even at this his most fearful personal crisis, he thought for others.

My lord," said Luther, so soon as they were alone, "can you obtain leave of absence from our good Elector? Try, and by all means, to gain it, and hasten homeward."

"In God's name why, Reverend Father?" exclaimed the Count.

"Can you recall, my lord, when you first met with that Father Antonio, whom long ago you brought from Italy together with the learned Abbott ?"

"The last time I saw him was at Rome, at the table of Von Teutleben, or I am much deceived," returned Arensberg.

"Is there any uncertainty about it?"

"Somewhat; for if it was he, he was much disguised."

"As what?"

"As a gay and jovial cavalier."

"The very man! Then I was not mistaken," murmured Luther. "My dear lord," he added in a louder tone, "the perils that are around myself-many and great as they appear-cannot make Luther ungrateful for your kindness and the kindness of your house. That villain I have seen recently at Wittemberg; and I know he is prowling around your castle. Repair home instantly, or

"Alas!" groaned Arensberg, "I am sworn to keep about the person of his Highness."

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"Then bear this note to the Elector. It may that he will grant what perchance is the last request of his poor servant. And now adieu! my son. Come weal, come woe to me, forget not thou, amid all the happiness that may await thee, that man's highest honour is to be the soldier of the Son of God!"

CHAPTER XVIII.

WE have been compelled, for a time, to lose sight of Castle Arensberg and its inmates. Our last look at them was when Rupert was taking his leave of the Countess, his mother. He was enthusiastically intent upon the stirring events at Worms, and most specially upon being in the neighbourhood of Martin Luther, for whose safety he felt so anxious, and who -so he had heard-was about to be summoned to appear before the Diet.

As we have said already, the command of the baronial fortress was committed to the veteran Essel; and right manfully and shrewdly did he fulfil his office. It was not that the country around was in the excitement of insurrection; neither was it that forces of an enemy at hand called for watch and ward, that made him wakeful and determined.

"I have," said he to himself, "to guard against no factious peasantry. There are no foes with culverins, or mines to batter or uproot these good walls. But, mayhap, I shall be called to fight with what is worse, with lying, eaves-dropping, intriguing monks. Ah!

ah! my good Lord Pope," cried the irreverent old soldier, "none of your craft has lost scent of a fair, rich damsel. Methinks I hear already the baying of your bloodhounds."

To explain all this it is needful to remark that Essel, now grown old, had from long and shrewd observations, drawn sad and aught but complimentary conclusions as to the untiring purpose-especially when gold or vengeance was concerned-of the Papal See. And no quietude, however long, could have so far hoodwinked him, as that he should even suppose that that See would submit tamely to the abduction of the Lady Bianca.

"Has any one been admitted within the castle today?" he asked of Gerard his servant, who was standing one evening behind his chair.

"No one, mein Herr, so far as I can learn, save a poor pedlar who brought his wares wherewith to amuse the ladies for their own sakes, and certes to pilfer for his own.”

"Is he gone forth again?"

"Faith the buttery, good master, is not empty," returned the servant.

"Then he is here still, you knave?" demanded Essel, angrily.

"I will go to see, mein Herr;" and the servant was hastily withdrawing.

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Bring him here, and make him show me his wares for sale," commanded Essel; "and look thee that he brings them all."