"Ah, the volunteers whom I have just enlisted, and whose pardon I have to ask for having forgotten them," cried Madame Von Lutzow, smiling.
"We have rather to ask your pardon for staying here," said Leonora. "But we are indebted to you and to the poet Theodore Korner for the most soul-stirring sentiments, and it seems to me as though we have received only now the true consecration for the future that lies before ns. Now, that I know what great sacrifices one may joyously make, I feel how incumbent it was upon me to make them too, and I have no remorse at leaving my parents and my brothers—It is certainly true, as the poet said: 'A great era requires great hearts!' And therefore I will try, to the best of my power, to have a great heart, that I may be worthy of our great era."
"A great and noble heart is beaming from your eyes, my friend," said Theodore Korner, offering his hand to Leonora. "I greet you both as dear comrades of mine, and beg you to treat me as one."
"Yes, we will do so," exclaimed Caroline, shaking hands with the poet. "And we will prove it directly by going to that tailor and offering to assist him in making the uniform of our esteemed lieutenant."
"Softly, my friend!" laughed Theodore Korner, "I have not yet risen so high; I am no lieutenant."
"But you will be soon," said Caroline, ardently; "for one may easily read in your face that you are born to command, and not to obey. We volunteers are to elect our own officers. Well, then, I shall vote for Theodore Korner." [Footnote: Theodore Korner was elected lieutenant by his comrades on the 24th of April.]
"So shall I!" ejaculated Leonora.
"But while indulging in such dreams as to the future, we forgot the grim tailor," said Theodore Korner, smiling. "Madame von Lutzow, I beseech you, pity my distress, and send for him, that your eloquence may soften his heart."
"But suppose he does not comply?" asked Madame von Lutzow. "It would be wrong, too, to occupy his time while so busy. You say the man lives near?"
"Scarcely fifty steps from here."