likely to prove a formidable opponent, had he continued in
Klosterheim, the Landgrave knew too well; and upon the advantage over him which
he had now gained, though otherwise it should prove only a temporary one, he
determined to found a permanent obstacle to the Emperor's views. As a
preliminary step, he prepared to crush all opposition in Klosterheim; a purpose
which was equally important to his vengeance and his policy.
    This system he opened with a series of tyrannical regulations, some of which
gave the more offence that they seemed wholly capricious and insulting. The
students were confined to their college bounds, except at stated intervals; were
subject to a military muster, or calling over of names, every evening; were
required to receive sentinels within the extensive courts of their own college,
and at length a small court of guard; with numerous other occasional marks, as
opportunities offered, of princely discountenance and anger.
    In the university, at that time, from local causes, many young men of rank
and family were collected. Those even who had taken no previous part in the
cause of the Klosterheimers were now roused to a sense of personal indignity.
And, as soon as the light was departed, a large body of them collected at the
rooms of Count St. Aldenheim, whose rank promised a suitable countenance to
their purpose, whilst his youth seemed a pledge for the requisite activity.
    The Count was a younger brother of the Palsgrave of Birkenfeld, and
maintained a sumptuous establishment in Klosterheim. Whilst the state of the
forest had allowed of hunting, hawking, and other amusements, no man had
exhibited so fine a stud of horses. No man had so large a train of servants; no
man entertained his friends with such magnificent hospitalities. His generosity,
his splendour, his fine person, and the courtesy with which he relieved the
humblest people from the oppression of his rank, had given him a popularity
amongst the students. His courage had been tried in battle; but, after all, it
was doubted whether he were not of too luxurious a turn to undertake any cause
which called for much exertion; for the death of a rich Abbess, who had left the
whole of an immense fortune to the Count, as her favourite nephew, had given him
another motive for cultivating peaceful pursuits, to which few men were,
constitutionally, better disposed.
    It was the time of day when the Count was sure to be found at home with a
joyous party of friends. Magnificent chandeliers shed light upon a table
furnished with every description of costly wines produced in Europe. According
to the custom