ly shaking his head, Brodin left the room, and the senator again
carefully read through the love letter. 'His sudden passion for war is
now clear to me,' cried he at last. 'It is that he may soon become of
sufficient consequence to enable him to woo successfully the daughter
of the all-powerful favorite, who stands too high for the
undistinguished son of a simple count and senator of Sweden. I am sorry
for thee, poor youth, but thy plan must be abandoned.'

'You have commanded my presence my father,' said Arwed, who with a
discontented face now entered the cabinet.

'I have reflected further upon your request,' answered the senator. 'I
will for this time let the child have his way, to stop his weeping. As
soon as your letters of introduction are ready you will set off for the
army. From conquered Drontheim shall I expect your first letter.'

'Am I going to Armfelt's corps?' asked Arwed aghast.

'What a question!' observed the father. 'The lieutenant general is my
old friend. He will receive you with open arms, and give you an
advantageous position.'

'I much regret,' said Arwed, 'that with my thanks for granting my first
request, I must prefer a new one. I cannot, indeed, take the letter of
recommendation, dear father, and I would not be indebted to old
friendship for a commission. What I can win upon the field of honor,
that may I thank myself for.'

'Overstrained ideas,' murmured the father peevishly. You will regret
the want of patronage when, experience shall have taught you how far
merit can go without it.'

'In war the good will of one's comrades is necessary,' proceeded Arwed.
'The soldier who is pushed forward through favoritism, must renounce
it; and under Armfelt I foresee that I could not avoid being improperly
favored. Wherefore I beg of you to let me go without recommendation to
our king before Frederickshall.'

'Even to the most hopeless expedition of the whole campaign!' cried the
father. 'Before that unlucky city which during the last year has cost
Sweden her military renown, an entire third of her army, and very
nearly the life of her king,--where peasants and serving maids suddenly
became more furious than the hostile elements and put to flight the
conqueror of Moscow. How hast thou become possessed of this foolish
fancy?'

'I desire that Sweden's hero should witness my first essay in arms,'
answered Arwed.

'Overweening self confidence!' said the father. 'I trust that thou wilt
every wher