clamours. I am in truth as sorry as any of your soldiers can be, that the lot has fallen upon you.
1st Off. (aside to Ost.) Nay, my noble friend, let me fulfil this penance in your stead. It is not now a time for scruples: the soldiers will be mutinous.
Ost. Mutinous! Soldiers, return to your ranks. (Looking at them sternly as they seem unwillingly to obey.) Will you brave me so far that I must
repeat my command?(They retire.)
I thank thee, dear Albert. (To 1st Off.) Thou shalt do something in my stead; but it shall not be the service thou thinkest of. (To Prior.) Reverend Father, I am indeed somewhat struck at being marked out by fate from so many men; but, as to how I shall act thereupon, no wise irresolute. (To the Sold.) Continue your march. The brave Albert shall conduct you to Martigny; and there you will remain under his command, till I join you again.
1st Sold. God preserve you then, my noble General! and if you do not join us again by tomorrow evening, safe and sound, we will not leave one stone of that building standing on another.
Many Soldiers at once. So swear we all! So swear, &c.
Ost. (assuming a cheerful look.)
Go to, foolish fellows? Were you to leave me in a den of lions, you could not be more apprehensive. Will watching all night by some holy shrine, or walking bare-foot through their mid-
