give new strength to the heart. Seek not to
dissuade me.'

Both remained silent while the convoy moved rapidly and undisturbedly
onward. At length the boat landed, and they got out. Two of the
servants drew a litter from beneath the deck, and bore it ashore. The
others followed with cords, shovels and pick-axes.

'Remain here,' said Arwed to Georgina. 'I will superintend the labor
and spare you at least that pain.'

'No,' answered she, 'it must all be fulfilled. But you may accompany
me, that I may have a friend to lean upon if the body should prove
weaker than the will.'

The melancholy company moved silently forward through the stillness of
the night. At length the gallows arose awfully before them in huge and
undefined outline.

'It was here,' whispered one of the servants, stopping.

'Here?' sobbed Georgina, falling down and kissing the holy ground.

'Now to the work, faithful friends,' said she, rising up.

With restless zeal the labor was commenced with pick-axe and shovel,
and soon the silver clamps upon the black coffin glistened from the
depth. Two of the servants sprang into the grave and made room for
themselves on each side until they succeeded in passing the cords under
the coffin. It was slowly drawn up and placed upon the litter.

During the time which had thus elapsed, Georgina had stood by with
folded hands, engaged in prayer. The litter was quickly raised, and the
little train moved silently back to the shore with its sad burden.
Georgina followed, requiring all of Arwed's strength to sustain her
tottering steps. The coffin was placed in the boat, which immediately
put off.

'It is done!' cried Georgina, convulsively clasping Arwed's hand. 'I
thank thee.'

'And now?' asked the faithful youth.

'You will soon learn,' answered Georgina, remaining buried in
reflection until they landed at the Blasiusholm. A merchant ship lay at
anchor near by. The maiden now arose, as in the golden times of her
happy love, and throwing her arms about Arwed's neck, pressed her
ice-cold lips to his. 'Farewell forever, dear Arwed!' breathed she in a
scarcely articulate tone.

'What say you?' cried Arwed in alarm, encircling her with his arms.

'It cannot be otherwise,' answered she, extricating herself from his
embrace. 'This ship takes me and my father's corpse to Hamburg.'

'Not without me, faithless one!' angrily exclaimed Arwed. 'Fly to the
new world--fly from life, if you will--and still I will accomp