that here lives
an unhappy father of whom you are the last earthly prop.'

'God send you peace!' cried Arwed, overpowered by sorrow, and rushing
forth, he soon, with his faithful servant, found himself upon the high
road.

CHAPTER XLI.

Late in the autumn of the same year the governor was again sitting in
the hall of his forefathers, whose statues remained, hung with mourning
crape. Before him stood a chess board, and, having no companion, he was
amusing himself by playing the games contained in a book which he held
in his hand. The unhappy man had altered much. Each successive week had
left the wrinkles of a year upon his face, and it was a sad sight to
see how he exerted himself to dispel painful recollections by a forced
attention to the intricate course of the game.

At that moment the footsteps of horses were heard in the court, and
before he could hasten to the window, Arwed entered the hall and rushed
into his arms.

'Welcome, my son!' cried the uncle, perusing his features with intense
interest; 'though I am sorry to see the expression of dark despondency
which hangs upon your face. The warrior who has done his duty, must
return home from the strife with joy.'

'That depends upon the nature and result of the strife, my good uncle.
But my whole life has been nothing but a long chain of frustrated
wishes and abortive plans. The myrtle-wreath was torn from my brow, the
laurel withers even while I grasp it, and I have failed to obtain the
cypress crown.'

'Is the war over?' asked the uncle.

'For the present, yes,' answered Arwed, 'until it may please our
enemies to recommence it--for there is no talk of peace either with the
Danes or Russians.'

'Not with the nearest and most powerful of our enemies?' indignantly
cried the governor. 'Woman's rule is everywhere the same--too weak for
resistance, too wilful for reconciliation. Poor Sweden!'

'Rhenskioeld,' said Arwed, 'was already in full retreat before the
Danes, when I joined him. I went also to the army which covered
Stockholm; but when I arrived the Russians were drawing off their
forces. Desolation and pillage was the object of their landing, and
most fully and fearfully was it accomplished. We indeed followed the
retiring enemy and had some trifling contests with the rear guard, but
when the English fleet under Norris approached our coasts, the
barbarians quickly embarked and left the country with immense booty.