ted
within him, and he wept. Christina, too, was so afflicted that her
attendants began to fear that she would actually die of grief. But
probably she was soon comforted; for children seldom remember their
parents quite so faithfully as their parents remember them.

For two years more, Christina remained in the palace at Stockholm. The
queen, her mother, had accompanied Gustavus to the wars. The child,
therefore, was left to the guardianship of five of the wisest men in the
kingdom. But these wise men knew better how to manage the affairs of
state, than how to govern and educate a little girl so as to render her a
good and happy woman.

When two years had passed away, tidings were brought to Stockholm which
filled everybody with triumph and sorrow at the same time. The Swedes had
won a glorious victory at Lutzen. But alas! the warlike king of Sweden,
the Lion of the North, the father of our little Christina,--had been slain
at the foot of a great stone, which still marks the spot of that hero's
death.

Soon after this sad event, a General Assembly, or Congress, consisting of
deputations from the nobles, the clergy, the burghers, and the peasants of
Sweden was summoned to meet at Stockholm. It was for the purpose of
declaring little Christina to be Queen of Sweden, and giving her the crown
and sceptre of her deceased father. Silence being proclaimed, the
Chancellor Oxenstiern arose.

"We desire to know," said he, "whether the people of Sweden will take the
daughter of our dead king, Gustavus Adolphus, to be their Queen."

When the Chancellor had spoken, an old man with white hair, and in coarse
apparel, stood up in the midst of the assembly. He was a peasant, Lars
Larrson by name, and had spent most of his life in laboring on a farm.

"Who is this daughter of Gustavus?" asked the old man. "We do not know
her. Let her be shown to us."

Then Christina was brought into the hall, and placed before the old
peasant. It was strange, no doubt, to see a child--a little girl of six
years old--offered to the Swedes as their ruler, instead of the brave king,
her father, who had led them to victory so many times. Could her baby
fingers wield a sword in war? Could her childish mind govern the nation
wisely in peace?

But the Swedes do not appear to have asked themselves these questions. Old
Lars Larrson took Christina up in his arms, and gazed earnestly into her
face. He had known the great Gustavus well; and his heart was to