ch! The queen
might possibly have despaired of being able suitably to reward me, and
has therefore chosen the most convenient way in which the great of the
earth reward past services. She repays with ingratitude!'

'These are strange observations, colonel,' said Arwed distrustfully,
'and you would do us a favor by giving a commentary upon the mysterious
text.'

'Let us speak of something more agreeable,' said Megret, drawing his
hand over his forehead, as though he would have wiped something from
it. 'How does the charming countess?'

The governor trembled with agitation, and looked beseechingly at Arwed,
as if he would have called him to his aid.

Just as Arwed was about to answer for him the servant entered to
announce a Laplander from the parish of Lyksale, who had a secret and
important communication to make to the governor.

'Conduct him to my cabinet!' commanded the latter, rising from his
seat, and glad of the interruption.

'You have not yet answered my question,' said Megret; but the governor
merely pointed to Arwed as he went out.

'Am I directed to you for my answer?' he asked Arwed with anxious
interest. 'This evasion of my simple question surprises me, and would
seem to indicate some misfortune. I hope no mischance has befallen
Christine?'

'She left the castle on the night of your departure,' answered Arwed.

'She must have fled, then, with the miserable Mac Donalbain!' cried the
enraged Megret.

'Probably,' answered Arwed. 'She did not indeed name her seducer in her
farewell note to her father, but all appearances point to him as the
guilty one.'

'And has no attempt been made to bring her back and punish the
miscreant for his villany?' asked Megret.

'The father has renounced his daughter forever,' answered Arwed, 'and I
must beseech you never more to mention her in his presence. It
overpowers the unhappy man to be reminded of her.'

'This is a consequence of my fatal delay!' cried Megret wildly, and
beating his forehead. 'There is now nothing, nothing more in this world
which can give me joy. My honor wounded by unworthy treatment, my love
scorned and betrayed, what now remains for me?'

'A consciousness of rectitude, colonel,' said Arwed earnestly. 'It is a
firm rock of safety amid the storms of life.'

'Consciousness of rectitude!' cried Megret with frightful vehemence,
and then drawing a deep sigh, he hastened from the apartment.

'Some horrid secret lies in this man's breast, li