 recognised one of those who had so obstinately dogged them by side-paths in
the forest. Whoever he were, and upon whatever mission employed, he was past all
rational examination; at the aspect of Maximilian, he relapsed into convulsive
horrors, which soon became too fit for medical treatment to allow of any useful
judicial enquiry; and for the present he was consigned to the safe-keeping of
the Provost-Marshal.
    His companion, meantime, had profited by his opportunity, and the general
confusion, to effect his escape. Nor was this difficult. Perhaps in the
consternation of the first moment, and the exclusive attention that settled upon
the party in the corridor, he might even have mixed in the crowd. But this was
not necessary. For, on raising the tapestry, a door was discovered which opened
into a private passage, having a general communication with the rest of the
rooms on that floor. Steps were now taken, by sentries disposed through the
interior of the mansion at proper points, to secure themselves from the enemies
who lurked within, whom hitherto they had too much neglected for the avowed and
more military assailants who menaced them from without. Security was thus
restored. But a deep impression accompanied the party to their couches, of the
profound political motives, or (in the absence of those) of the rancorous
personal malignity, which could prompt such obstinate persecution; by modes
also, and by hands, which encountered so many chances of failing; and which,
even in the event of the very completest success for the present, could not be
expected, under the eyes of so many witnesses, to escape a final exposure. Some
enemy, of unusual ferocity, was too obviously working in the dark, and by
agencies as mysterious as his own purpose.
    Meantime, in the city of Klosterheim the general interest in the fortunes of
the approaching travellers had suffered no abatement, and some circumstances had
occurred to increase the popular irritation. It was known that Maximilian had
escaped with a strong party of friends from the city; but how, or by whose
connivance, could in no way be discovered. This had drawn upon all persons who
were known as active partisans against the Landgrave, or liable to suspicion as
friends of Maximilian, a vexatious persecution from the military police of the
town. Some had been arrested; many called upon to give security for their future
behaviour; and all had been threatened or treated with harshness. Hence, as well
as from previous irritation and alarm on account of the party from Vienna, the
whole town was in a state of extreme agitation.
    Klosterheim
