stowed unlimited confidence, now languishes in undeserved chains. A
criminal court is now sitting upon him, and all, who are convinced of
his innocence, shudder at the possibility: that Sweden may be guilty of
shedding that noble blood.'

'The number of them will not be great,' said Ulrika, coolly. 'Have you
any thing further to say to us?'

'I beg of your majesty mercy for unhappy Goertz,' said Conradi with
increasing warmth. 'I appeal to the softer feelings of your sex, to the
magnanimity of the princess, to the forgiving spirit of the christian.
By the God in whom we all believe, Goertz is innocent. And if he has
done any thing wrong, and so brought any misfortune upon Sweden, which
I do not know, he has but acted in obedience to his lord, like a true
vassal, and that lord was entitled to the unreserved obedience of all,
whilst he reigned over this land as an absolute sovereign.'

'Sweden will have cause to remember that unlimited sovereignty for some
generations,' remarked Ulrika, glancing at the splendid watch hanging
at her girdle. 'Please to come to an end.'

'I have nothing more to add,' said the preacher dejectedly, 'except to
implore your majesty to signalize the commencement of your reign by an
act of mercy, rather than by the shedding of blood.'

'Mercy for Goertz!' cried Arwed, throwing himself at the queen's feet,
and pressing her once scorned hand passionately to his lips.

Ulrika, surprised by the sudden movement, withdrew her hand with a look
of pride and scorn, and motioned him to rise. Without deigning to
answer him, she turned again to the still kneeling preacher. 'My good
man,' said she, with cold friendliness, 'I would willingly forgive the
baron for all the evil he has done to me. The queen has no memory for
injuries suffered by the princess. But the decision lies not with me.
Next to God, have I from my true states received the crown, and without
their voice I neither can nor will decide upon crimes against the
nation, of which Goertz is accused.' She made a sign to her attendants,
and moved proudly forward.

'All in vain!' cried Conradi, rising. 'And this affected mildness,
beneath which the queen conceals her implacable hatred, is to me more
frightful than if she had poured forth her anger in passionate words.
Here is a coolly devised plan to destroy an innocent man, against which
even the eloquence of the apostle Paul himself would fail to succeed.
Let us go.'

Sadly they turned towar