r fashion. But the
deed of arms which Charles the XIIth rewarded with an embrace, must be
considered as truly heroic--and to a hero much must be forgiven. To
that, we Swedes have long been accustomed.'

'Nor was that embrace the best of the king's favors,' said Arwed
eagerly. 'For beating back a sally of the Danes, I had his word for my
marriage with Greorgina. And surely you would not have resisted the
request of Charles.'

'Yes,' answered his father, turning away from him; 'and now all that
has been changed forever by one bullet! I pity you, poor youth, but
your case cannot be helped!'

'I do not yet give up every hope,' said Arwed. 'They dare not murder
Goertz without a trial, and if they will but give him a fair one he
must be acquitted.'

'Do you think so?' murmured the old man; 'so do not we think here in
Stockholm, and all Sweden cries out guilty against him.'

'The voice of the people is not always the voice of God,' said Arwed.
'I still trust in holy justice. But I have a favor to ask of you, my
father. The baron's daughter wishes to see her father. Give me the
necessary permission.'

'That is not to be thought of for the present,' answered the father.
'Perhaps it may be obtained a little later, after the sentence has been
pronounced. Besides I am not the person who has power to grant it. Upon
such a request the president of the special commission, landmarshal
Ribbing, must decide.'

'Alas, that heart of stone!' cried Arwed. 'Give me at least a letter of
introduction to him, that he may do from favor what is only a duty.'

'I can have nothing to do with the affair,' said the father angrily.
'You presume upon my forbearance.'

He pointed towards the door. Arwed wished to speak to him yet once
again, but the counsellor, turning his back upon him, walked to his
writing-table and the son in sadness departed.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Every effort to move, to win, to alarm, which the eloquence of the soul
could inspire, had Arwed lavished upon landmarshal Ribbing. But
powerless as the waves against the rocks, were his words with the
immovable man; and, with anger at the refusal rankling at his heart,
the young man now stood in the high arched basement story of the
council house upon the Suedermalm, where Goertz was held in
confinement, seeking, with his open purse in his hand, and not without
secret reluctance, to try the effect of gross corruption upon the
gaoler.

But t