g the latter upon his horse's
saddle, he sank into a profound reverie. 'I shall find a grown up
daughter in my uncle's house,' said he to himself. 'Possibly a right
beauteous maiden, with whom my near relationship must bring me into
familiar intercourse. Did this really enter into my father's plans? Did
he hope that I should here sever old ties and form new ones? If so, he
has deceived himself! But one Georgina blooms for me in this world!
while she lives, lives also my hope, and the mere remembrance of her is
sufficient to steel my heart against the attractions of all the women
upon earth.'

The sudden shock with which the boat struck the shore aroused the youth
from his contemplations. He threw himself upon his horse and briskly
trotted towards Gyllensten. When he had reached its base, and was
slowly riding up the steep and rocky ascent, a little flag, displaying
the golden star, the escutcheon of Gyllenstierna, suddenly waved from
the pinnacle of the tower. Two falconets then exploded so briskly to
the right and left from the walls, that his horse made three powerful
leaps; and a flourish of trumpets and kettle drums followed.

'Is it possible that this can be intended for me?'--and putting his
horse to a quick gallop, he soon sprang through the high gothic arched
gateway into the court of the castle. Again was heard a merry trumpet
blast, a window of the castle hall was opened, and a massive silver
goblet was extended towards the new comer by the old governor.

'Welcome, brave Swede!' cried he joyously to the guest below; 'welcome
to Gyllensten! Down from your horse and come up and pledge me in the
hall of our forefathers!'

Arwed, obeying, soon entered the long, high-vaulted, echoing knight's
hall, in whose niches on either side of the worthy old Gyllenstierna,
stood colossal statues, in complete armor chased in copper. The shining
metal reflected upon him the last rays of the setting sun so brightly,
that he was compelled to protect his eyes with his hand from their
blinding red brilliancy.

Meanwhile the uncle, who Was afflicted with the gout, had trundled his
movable chair toward his nephew. 'Aha!' exclaimed he, laughing, 'the
old lords shine a brilliant greeting upon thee, as they should upon so
worthy a descendant of their house. So is it also my duty to do; and if
I do not perform it with quite so much grace, the fault must be
attributed to this rascally gout, which rages in my bones as if the
whole Rus