rons Duecker, Taube, Sparre, and Banner.

'They are all here to-day for once,' said the chief clerk. 'Count Spens
alone is absent. Indeed the business is of too much importance, and
they cannot expedite the ex-minister too hastily!'

One of the queen's chamberlains again threw open the doors, and, in
full dress, stiff and stately as the image of the virgin in some place
of pilgrimage, with a countenance in which deep hatred vainly sought to
conceal itself under assumed dignity, the queen passed by them into the
hall. Arwed then slipped into his hiding place, and the chief clerk
shut the door after him.

After the ceremony of the queen's reception was over, and the members
had taken their seats, the governor, baron Taube, took the floor.

'The special royal commission,' said he, 'has sentenced von Goertz to
lose his head under the gallows, and there be buried. The diet has, by
a majority of voices, concurred in this verdict, and by her majesty's
command the royal council is now assembled to decide whether the
sentence shall be carried into full effect, or whether Goertz shall
have the benefit of some mitigation of its severity.'

'I consider it dangerous to deal so hardly with Goertz,' said count
Cronhielm. 'The late king reposed great confidence in him, and I fear
that it may injure the Swedish nation abroad, since Goertz has many
adherents and a highly respected family.'

'A man who has endeavored to overthrow the whole kingdom,' cried the
passionate Horn, 'who has committed the crimes detailed in the report
of the commissioners, is not too severely judged. Clemency towards him
may seduce many others to enter upon a similar course, to the great
injury of the realm. Besides, he has been tried and sentenced by
conscientious men, who, if they have done him injustice, must answer it
to their God.'

'It is not my wish that he should go unpunished,' answered Cronhielm.
'But it may be well to remember, that the commencement of our political
career will be closely scrutinized, and that the manner of the
execution may injure us with the nation, and particularly with our
nobility. He may be beheaded, but to bury under the gallows a man who
has been employed in so many important affairs by our late king,
appears to me to be bad policy.'

'Any Swede who may conduct himself as he has,' cried Horn, exasperated,
'may be punished in the same manner.'

'These altercations do not accomplish our object,' remarked Ulrika. 'I
de