ou
could ask for me has already been attempted by true friends, and
attempted in vain.'

At this moment the court scribe held out the watch in his hand, and
cried, 'the time has expired!'

'My God! the time has expired!' shrieked Georgina: 'and I had so many
things to say, and so many questions to ask you, my father, but your
sufferings have put them all out of my head. Have you nothing to charge
me with?'

'The crown of Sweden,' answered Goertz with a melancholy smile, 'has
relieved me of the care of my earthly possessions. My palace is
plundered, my funds and papers are all seized, and will probably be
confiscated for the benefit of the royal treasury. What it may be
necessary for you to know, in relation to these affairs you will find
in my testament, which I hope to be able to finish in the course of the
next few days.'

'And have you nothing else to say?' cried she, weeping upon his neck.

'We shall meet once more before my last hour,' answered Goertz with a
failing voice. 'Leave me now, my dear daughter.' He gently disengaged
himself from her arms and walked to the grated window, concealing his
face in his handkerchief.

'Father!' shrieked Georgina with desperation, and, springing after him,
again clasped him in her arms.

'Really, two minutes have already elapsed beyond the time, your
excellency,' said the clerk importunately, holding up his watch to
lieutenant general Rank. 'I shall be made answerable for any further
delay.'

'Take her hence!' cried Goertz, placing Georgina in Arwed's arms.
'Obey, my daughter!'--and Arwed bore the fainting sufferer out.

CHAPTER XXI.

The diet of Sweden had assembled at the capital. To the house of
assembly hastened the Swedish lords, counts and barons, the knights,
the lower nobility, and the good men of the kingdom, to deliberate upon
her welfare in the _pleno plenorum_. Arwed rode gloomily through the
files of carriages and masses of people who filled the Ritter square in
crowds. His way led him past the statue of the great Gustavus Vasa,
which adorned the place. 'Oh that thou wert now alive, noble hero!'
sighed he, as he came in view of it. 'Then, truly, the despotism of
vassals would not dare to deck itself with the robes of righteousness!'
As if desirous of fleeing from the grief which preyed upon him, he gave
the spur to his horse, and hastily passed the bridge which connects
Holy-Ghost island and the city with the Norrm