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 with heresy and revolt, will perish. Crowds of people are dying of hunger while their masters’ granaries are overflowing. That longed-for moment when the nobility can fill our land with strangers is quickly coming. They will be less hated than we, for in them will not be that undying love for truth and liberty, that insuppressible desire for justice for which the Bohemians have for ages been universally hated.”

Andrew had now regained control of his mind, and he looked with flashing eyes on the harper, who listened with unfeigned surprise.

“You are again mistaken in suspecting the Countess and the nobility of such cruel designs.”

“Alas! I am not mistaken,” Andrew repeated, with profound grief. “The nobles greatly desire to exterminate our people, that strangers may be brought here, who will be satisfied with any kind of government and willingly lay their necks under any yoke so long as their bodies are cared for. This consummation has long been desired, and