ribute it to the ill will of the queen herself,'
said Arwed.

'So much the better!' cried the preacher. 'That would be a good sign
for me. Then does she shun the truth, which she would hear from me; and
if I can only succeed in obtaining an audience, I augur the happiest
consequences. You are well acquainted at the palace, count. Procure me
an audience of the queen, and the rest shall be my care. She is, at any
rate, a woman, and must have a compassionate heart.'

'You have chosen a bad protector, sir pastor,' said Arwed, with a sad
smile. 'But I will procure for you an audience with the queen, if I
have to open a path to her with my sword.'

While they were thus conversing they had passed the bridge connecting
the Suedermalm with the city, the streets of which they threaded until
they approached the Ritterholm.

'Announce us to the queen,' begged Arwed of the valet-de-chambre whom
they found before the door of the queen's apartments, flipping some
pieces of gold into his hands. 'The count Gyllenstierna and pastor
Conradi beg that she will graciously grant them a short audience upon a
most pressing concern.'

'I will do my best,' said the valet-de-chambre in the most friendly
manner, going in.

After a short time he returned. 'It was all succeeding well,' said he,
'but the name of the black coat spoiled all. By that was the attention
of her majesty arrested, and she then asked whether it was the younger
or elder Gyllenstierna who had requested to be announced. She cannot
see you now, and the gentlemen may hand in their request in writing, by
the chamberlain in waiting.'

'Perdition!' cried Arwed, indignant at his own helplessness.

'This amounts to a refusal,' stammered Conradi. 'When the great of the
earth demand that a petitioner shall put the all-powerful words of his
mouth into cold, dead characters upon paper, and hamper the strength of
his good cause by a submission to prescribed formulas, it is because
they are determined not to grant his request, and wish to avoid
pronouncing with their lips the refusal of which in their hearts they
are ashamed.' Meanwhile it had become night, and the servants lighted
the lamps in the ante-chamber.

A high officer entered the ante-room for the purpose of passing through
it into the audience chamber.

'Who is this gentleman?' whispered Conradi to the valet-de-chambre.

'Lieutenant general Rank,' answered the latter.

'Goertz has named him to me as his last friend,'