The old men looked at each other in astonishment, as if they did not trust their ears. "You dare not, you cannot," Truchses repeated slowly, a deep red at the same time mounting up to his eyes, and colouring his forehead, the forerunner of rising anger.
Albert immediately perceived he had been too hasty in his expression; he recovered himself, and spoke with more composure: "I proffered my services to the League for the glory of honourable fight, not to steal into the enemy's country in the ignominious guise of a spy, to discover by secrecy and treachery what is not to be obtained openly. It is true, I am young and inexperienced; but this much I know, that I am answerable to myself alone for the propriety of my conduct. Who among you, as a father, would advise his son to commence his military career in the dishonourable garb of a spy?"
Truchses contracted his dark eyebrows into a frown, and shot a penetrating glance at the young man, who had ventured to entertain an opinion so different to his own. "What are you thinking about, sir?" he cried, "your opinion has nothing to do here; the question is, not whether your conscience will allow you to execute our orders--it treats of obedience to our commands, which we insist upon, and which you must submit to."
"And I will not," replied the young man, with a resolute voice. He felt his courage increase every moment, in proportion as the insulting tone of Waldburg excited his anger. He even hoped Truchses might persist in his offensive manner; for it would strengthen him still more in his resolve, and fully justify his determination to quit their service.
"Yes, yes!" laughed Waldburg, in sarcastic rage, "to ride about alone in the enemy's country is certainly a dangerous undertaking. Ha, ha! These are your fine-spoken gentlemen, proffering head and arm, with high-sounding words and lofty looks; but, when it comes to the point, if any service is required of them which is attended with danger, their hearts fail them. But one generation resembles the other; the apple does not fall far from its stem; and where there is nothing to be gained, the Emperor has lost his rights."
"If those words be meant as a reflection on my father," answered Albert, irritated, "there are witnesses sitting here, who can vouch that he lives in their memory as a brave man. You think to have achieved sufficient renown to warrant your taking the liberty of undervaluing the merits of others."
"Shall such a downy chin prescribe to me what I shall say?" interrupted Waldburg. "But an end to this trash. I want to know, youngster, whether or not you will saddle your horse to-morrow, and follow our orders?"
"Truchses von Waldburg," answered Albert, with more composure than he thought himself master of, "your arrogant language only convinces me how little you know the way to address a gentleman, who has tendered his services to the League with honourable motives, and who is the son of a brave father. You have addressed me in the name of the League, as president of this council, and have insulted me, as if I were its greatest enemy. I have, therefore, no other answer to give, than, in following your orders, to saddle my horse; but I now most decidedly declare, assuredly no longer in your service. My honour forbids my remaining under your colours; I therefore pronounce myself henceforth free and unshackled from you for ever;--farewell."
The young man spoke with vigour and firmness, and turned around to depart.
"Albert," called Fronsberg, springing from his seat, "son of my friend!--"