I am
not to be saved. When the blood of my king flowed, the same moment was
my sentence pronounced. Sweden thirsts for my blood, and it must be
drunken. This conviction has its benefits. It raises me above delusive
hopes, and confers upon me the quiet repose of resignation.'

'My dear father!' sobbed Georgina, who had sunk down before him, with
her head resting upon his knees.

'My good child!' said Goertz, lifting up her face and looking at her
with an expression of unutterable tenderness. 'Thou hast thy mother's
eyes,' added he, laying his hand softly upon her cheek. 'I must take a
long look that every lineament may remain in my memory. For this
enjoyment may never again be allowed to me.'

'This is the only interview which I could prevail upon the inexorable
Ribbing to grant,' said Rank sadly. 'They will not, however, refuse you
a farewell conversation with your daughters after the trial.'

Goertz kissed the tears from his daughter's eyes. But his parental
feelings became too strong for him. 'Leave me!' said he springing up:
'this trial is too great for me!' and he walked up and down the room
with hasty strides.

'One satisfaction,' resumed he suddenly, as if wishing to divert his
thoughts to other objects by the observation: 'one satisfaction have I
yet had in those hours when every one seemed to aim at my utter
prostration. Fehmann, my accuser, read, as a proof that I had
calumniated his subjects to the king, a letter, in which I had
complained to Charles of the neglect of his duty by a governor of a
province, and recommended his dismission. When he had read thus far he
laid the letter aside. I requested that the remainder might be read;
the commission decided in my favor, and Fehmann was now compelled to
read a description of himself as an able and faithful man whom I
recommended to the king for the place.'

'And did not the wretch throw himself at your feet overwhelmed with
shame and contrition?' cried Arwed in a rage.

'My good captain,' answered Goertz, 'the minds of the people who pursue
me are so perfectly settled, that they are incapable of such emotions.'

'Can I then do nothing, nothing at all, for you?' sobbed Georgina. 'I
will go with Magdalena to all your judges, clasp their knees and
entreat for mercy; the prayers and tears of innocent children, whom
they are about to make orphans, will, perhaps, move their flinty,
hearts.'

'I forbid your doing that!' answered Goertz with decision. 'What y