"But I am not afraid! I would rather be where my father is!"
"But you came here to avoid marrying Maximilian or going into a nunnery, which was it?"
"Both, uncle. But Maximilian will be too busy for marrying for a long time to come. He has to find an army and beat Gustavus."
"In the next place, you can't get to Vienna!"
"Hardly without an escort! But you could persuade Count Tilly to give me a hundred men and two officers."
"It seems to me that Count Tilly would as soon go himself as part with half a company."
"He does not seem very willing, but I am relying on your persuasion, uncle."
"It is evident, Stephanie, that you cannot go at once. In a week or two more men may have come in. In a week or two the roads may be clear of the enemy. Promise me, dear niece, that you will defer the matter for ten days. You cannot grudge your old uncle ten days of your pleasant company!" The Bishop looked affectionately at her.
"For ten days longer, then, my uncle! Then escort or no escort, I must go."