'What mean you by that?' asked Arwed earnestly.--But the prophet had
disappeared.

CHAPTER VIII.

Arwed arrived at the king's quarters.--Upon giving his name, the
ordnance officer on duty showed him into the royal chamber, without
further annunciation. With a prayer book in his lap, and a miniature in
his hand which he was attentively viewing, Charles sat by the chimney,
in which some sheets of paper were burning. A heap of glowing ashes
showed that a large quantity of paper had been previously destroyed in
the same manner.--Arwed approached the king, who, sitting with his back
towards him and absorbed in the contemplation of the miniature, was not
aware of his presence. Arwed saw and recognized the picture. It was the
portrait of Gustavus Adolphus. Then suddenly Swedenborg's prophecy came
into his mind, and a secret apprehension respecting the hero, drew from
him a deep sigh.

The king looked around. 'Aha, captain Gyllenstierna!' said he, rising
up and carefully putting aside the prayer book and portrait. 'You
showed much bravery against the enemy in yesterday's action. You are
too young for the rank of major, and I do not like to give stars and
orders. Have you any favor to ask?'

'This commendation from my king is the greatest favor that could be
conferred upon me,' answered Arwed. 'If your majesty will but continue
as kindly disposed towards me, I shall be more than rewarded.'

'No!' said the king vehemently, 'I will not remain your debtor. God may
call me to himself to-day or to-morrow, and then must my earthly
accounts be balanced. Ask some favor of me. I am well disposed towards
you.'

'Now or never!' said Arwed to himself, and turning to the king: 'I love
the daughter of your majesty's minister, baron von Goertz: the
animosity of our respective fathers opposes an insurmountable obstacle
to our union: vouchsafe, your majesty, to intercede for us.'

'You are a simpleton!' replied the king scornfully, while with long and
rapid strides he paced up and down the chamber. 'Silly request!'
exclaimed he after a while, smiling in his peculiar manner: 'and I
think it unjust, since you know my opinion of matrimony.' After which,
he walked two or three times up and down the room, and then stopping
directly in front of Arwed, asked him, 'you are so good a soldier,
Gyllenstierna, how have you been able to attach yourself to a woman?'

'Baroness von Goertz,' answered Arwed, 'is