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Rons. And who was it that bade you ask me?
Carl. Hey! [Aside to CHRISTINE.] Must I tell?
Chris. [Aside, nodding to him.] Yes, yes.

Carl Christine herself. She said it depended on you; and without your leave there was no way.

Rons. [To himself.] Right. That's well, that's very well. [Crosses CARLITZ, and goes over to CHRISTINE, R. corner.] So, [faltering] Christine, 'tis you. Chris. Yes, 'tis I. But remember, you have the right to refuse. My promise has been given-my word is sacred; and whatever you may command, I obey without a murmur.

Rons. Without a murmur! No, Christine, you are too tender for the school of anguish; but an old soldier is used to ha d rubs, and knows how to suffer and be silent. [Crosses to CARLITZ, L.] You ask leave to love Christine. Do you promise to make her happy?

Carl. [Aside.] What an odd question for a husband! [Aloud.] Faith, Mr. Soldier, I'll promise to do the best I can.

Rons. Still you have nothing, and Christine is rich. Carl. Rich; ay, so she is! I never thought of that. Rons. Then take this pocket-book: go offer it to Christine. 'Tis yours; and now, Carlitz, [agitated] now you may marry her. [Crosses to L. corner.

Carl. Marry your wife!

Rons. She is not my wife; that treasure Heaven never meant for me. But of this, at least, I'm master and, in making it the source of happiness to the vir tuous, I pay the noblest tribute to his memory who gave it..

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Chris. "No, no; we won't take it-we can't take it, can we, Carlitz?

Carl. "Never! you've already given me more than I dared hope for; and don't make me feel like a scoun"drel, for imposing on his goodness that made a man of

me.

Rons. "Well, then, keep it for me in trust. Money 46 never lodges well in a soldier's knapsack. When I shall be worn out in my country's service, perhaps "you'll give me a snug corner at your fireside; and there, Christine, my last days will pass cheerily in teaching your children, as they climb about me, the lessons o • my experience, and the stories of my battles. But if, "as I feel most likely, I should soon be called up yon"der to join my old colonel, then do you be my heirs

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And, I only ask in return, that you never let the poor soldier leave your door unsuccoured, but tell him, as he departs rejoicing on his way, 'Take this for the sake of poor Ronslaus.' · [Roll of the drum heard.] Hark! my duty calls! The regiment is on the march. [The march is heard again, and the Soldiers appear as in the beginning. BRANDT comes on as the music strikes up, and holds the knapsack ready for RONSLAUS, who crosses to L. corner, hurries on his accoutrements, returns to the centre, and gazes a moment at CHRISTINE.] Farewell! God bless you! God bless you both! [Pauses a moment, claps the butt of his gun, shoulders it, and hurries up the mountain, whence he looks back at them once more, and salutes them with his hand to his cap.]

The Curtain falls.

THE END,

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