the objects of general
abhorrence in Klosterheim. His own appearance did not belie the service which he
had adopted. He was a man of stout person, somewhat elegantly formed, in age
about three or four and thirty, though perhaps a year or two of his apparent age
might be charged upon the bronzing effects of sun and wind. In bearing and
carriage he announced to every eye the mixed carelessness and self-possession of
a military training; and, as his features were regular, and remarkably
intelligent, he would have been pronounced, on the whole, a man of winning
exterior, were it not for the repulsive effect of his eye, in which there was a
sinister expression of treachery, and at times a ferocious one of cruelty.
    Placed upon their guard by his costume, and the severity of his countenance,
those of the lower rank were silent as he moved along, or lowered their voices
into whispers and inaudible murmurs. Amongst the students, however, whenever
they happened to muster strongly, were many fiery young men, who disdained to
temper the expression of their feelings, or to moderate their tone. A large
group of these at one corner of the square drew attention upon themselves, as
well by the conspicuous station which they occupied upon the steps of a church
portico as by the loudness of their voices. Towards them the officer directed
his steps; and probably no lover of scenes would have had very long to wait for
some explosion between parties both equally ready to take offence and careless
of giving it; but at that moment, from an opposite angle of the square, was seen
approaching a young man in plain clothes, who drew off the universal regard of
the mob upon himself, and by the uproar of welcome which saluted him occasioned
all other sounds to be stifled. »Long life to our noble leader!« - »Welcome to
the good Max!« resounded through the square; »Hail to our noble brother!« was
the acclamation of the students. And everybody hastened forward to meet him with
an impetuosity which for the moment drew off all attention from the officer: he
was left standing by himself on the steps of the church, looking down upon this
scene of joyous welcome - the sole spectator who neither fully understood its
meaning nor shared in its feelings.
    The stranger, who wore in part the antique costume of the university of
Klosterheim, except where he still retained underneath a travelling dress,
stained with recent marks of the roads and the weather, advanced amongst his
friends with an air at once frank, kind, and dignified. He replied to their
greetings