d Conradi,
shaking his head. 'Probably he wished to lull me to sleep and find out
what further means might be at my command. That is not cavalier-like.
When the lion creeps and watches like the cat, it becomes only a common
animal.'

A long pause ensued, during which each one was occupied with his own
thoughts. Georgina leaned her head upon the back of her chair, whilst
her breast labored with the anguish of fearful expectation. Arwed stood
there with his arms folded, casting glances of love and compassion upon
the maiden. The little Magdalena, unaware of the importance of the
moment, was innocently playing with his sword knot; while Conradi had
stepped to the window, and was listening attentively to every sound
from without.

'Did you not hear something like the sound of a distant bell?' he asked
Arwed. The latter hastened anxiously to the window, and listened to the
faint sounds. Directly more distinct tones fell upon his ear.

'Those are the bells of Jacob's church!' cried Georgina, springing up.
'What means this general ringing of the bells at so unusual an hour?'

'Something of importance either for good or evil,' said Conradi. 'I
think the diet must have decided, and these bells are to celebrate
their choice.'

'Arwed!' sighed Georgina, stretching out her hands imploringly towards
the youth.

'I will go into the city and procure intelligence,' said he, seizing
his hat. 'God grant that I may bring you back good news.'

He hastened out, threw himself upon his horse, and coursed back to the
city. From every tower rung out the merry peal of the bells, and in all
the streets through which he rode, floated joyous multitudes of people.
In the great square they were crowded head to head, and ten thousand
hands pointed towards the capitol. 'The hour of decision has arrived,'
said Arwed to himself. Leaping from his horse, and throwing the bridle
reins to his servant, he pushed his way through the crowd to the portal
of the building.

There stood the pompous equipage of the duke of Holstein. The duke sat
therein, viewing the windows of the hall of assembly with a countenance
expressive of sorrow and offended pride. An elderly gentleman in the
uniform of a Holstein general, and with a pensive air, stepped out of
the door of the capitol.'

'Now, Bauer?' cried the duke to him impatiently, throwing open the door
of the carriage.

'All in vain, your grace!' said Bauer, stepping into the carriage. 'I
did not even obt