ain an opportunity to read your protest to the end.'

'Sweden, Sweden, to whom I have offered up every thing,' growled the
duke, 'is this your gratitude!' Hastily catching hold of the general,
he drew him into the carriage and shut the door, crying, 'forward!' The
carriage soon rattled out of Arwed's view.

Trumpets now sounded from the balcony of the capitol, attracting
Arwed's attention to the place. The president of the senate, count
Horn, accompanied by many of the senators, stepped out upon the
balcony. 'Silence!' cried he to the crowd below, waving his hand.
'Silence!' cried the people in return, and all was still.

'Free Swedes!' cried the orator, 'the royal council and the assembled
diet of this kingdom, by virtue of the elective right vested in them,
in consequence of the throne having become vacant without immediate
heirs, have elected to be queen of the Swedes and Goths the full sister
of our immortal lord, her royal highness and princely grace the
landgravine Ulrika Eleonora of Hesse. This gracious princess having
solemnly renounced the sovereignty, so named, or unlimited sovereign
power, we hereby declare the said unlimited power to be forever
alienated from the throne, and will hold as an enemy to the kingdom
whoever may hereafter, by secret artifice or the open exertion of
force, attempt the assumption or exercise of absolute power. Long live
her majesty, queen Ulrika Eleonora!'

'Long live her majesty Ulrika Eleonora!' roared the numberless throng,
mingling their voices with the trumpet blasts; and, as if raised by a
whirlwind, their hats and caps flew high in air.

'All is lost!' cried Arwed indignantly, as he opened a way for himself
through the crowd.

CHAPTER XXII.

On the twenty-first day of February, 1719, Arwed entered the prison of
the unhappy Goertz, in company with lieutenant general Rank.

'I bring to you a suppliant, my poor friend,' said Rank, with a
melancholy smile, to Goertz. 'The captain has not ceased to besiege his
royal highness, until he obtained his permission for this interview
with you. He has a great favor to ask, and if my word is entitled to
any weight, I am his witness that he has well deserved it. He has,
through his ceaseless activity in your behalf, drawn down upon himself
the hatred of the Swedish nobility; and could he purchase your life
with his own, I am fully satisfied that he would make the sacrifice
with joy.'

'Good ma