'always to be present when the weightiest events
are occurring in the army, without being able to do any thing for the
common good. At this moment is to be decided who is to rule over
Sweden, and you can neither aid nor prevent, as it happened to you at
the death of the king.'

'Is this a question yet to be decided?' asked Brenner. 'I think there
is no longer any doubt that Ulkrika will be queen.'

'That is not so certain as you may think,' answered Swedenborg. 'The
princess has indeed received the premature homage of the senate, and
lavished rewards upon the generals; but the army has a voice in this
business, and the superior right of the young duke is as clear as the
sun. According to the Nordkioping compact of inheritance, no woman can
become heir to the throne unless she be either unmarried, or married
with the consent of the states to a Lutheran prince. But Ulrika has,
without the consent of the states, married the prince of Hesse, who
professes the Calvinistic faith.'

'Ulrika will nevertheless purchase the crown by surrendering a portion
of its sovereignty,' retorted Brenner; 'and at this price they will let
her off.'

'Hardly, if the young duke bids the same,' answered Swedenborg.
'General Duecker is even now with him for the purpose of prompting him
to it. May God give efficacy to his words, for Sweden will have a bad
government under this Ulrika.'

At this moment old Duecker entered with furious haste, threw his plumed
hat angrily upon the floor, and paced rapidly up and down the room
without perceiving the officers.

'Nothing accomplished?' asked Swedenborg dejectedly.

'What can be accomplished,' indignantly replied the general, 'when one
has to do with a boy who is governed by fools? He relies confidently
upon the strength of his party. He will inherit the royal power wholly
unimpaired or not at all. And it is most certain that with his
confidence and indolence he will be compelled to accept the latter
alternative.'

'The last effort vain!' said Swedenborg, taking his hat. 'God preserve
your excellency! I am going.'

'Will you also desert me, my dear ally?' asked Duecker despairingly.

'How can I be further useful in this place?' said Swedenborg. 'The
siege is raised; my knowledge can never more be needed here. I go again
to the examination of the mines. Under the present circumstances this
upper air will no longer exactly agree with me, and I must see whether
that of the mines will not be bet