mund the younger, drink to the great spirit of the first Sigmund,
and to all his glorious line for ever ! Drink to the hope that, as
a thousand years ago he drank to Hilda, so we may be draining
this health to a son of Hilda's who may sit here a thousand years
from to-day ! To Hilda ! To Sigmund ! Hoch, Sigmundskrdn,
Hoch ! "

The four voices rang together, even the baroness joining in
the cheer. Kex and Greif drained their glasses to the last drop,
and each tapped the rim upon his nail ; then, with one accord,
as though to carry out the ancient custom to its bai'baric com-
pleteness, both dashed their beakers against the opposite wall,
so that they were shivered into a thousand splinters. It is a
strange old manner, and the purpose of it is that a glass hon-
oured by a noble and solemn health, may never be defiled by
ordinary use again.
Eex sat down in his place and did not speak for some time.
