efore I believe we fulfill the unwritten testament of the great
departed in raising the duke of Holstein to Sweden's throne. He already
has so far deserved it, that his connection with this realm has cost
him his possessions.

'But whatever be done must be done quickly--for the husband of the
other pretender to the crown is in the camp, and already very active in
availing himself of his field-marshalship to aid her pretensions. I, in
whom he least confides, have already been ordered to depart with my
corps, and I dare not venture to disobey, unless protected by a counter
order from the king. I therefore propose that a deputation from
ourselves repair immediately to the duke, and beg of him to show
himself to the troops. We will have the regiments under arms, proclaim
him king in front of them, and for the rest depend upon our good
swords. Is that your will, my friends?'

'Long live our king Charles XIIIth!' cried the assembled warriors with
one voice, and every sword leaped from its scabbard. While most of the
officers distributed themselves through the soldiers' barracks, to
prepare them for the great movement, Duecker chose, from among those
who remained, the ambassadors who should accompany him to the duke.
Arwed found himself one of the number, and the delegates immediately
repaired to the duke's quarters. The sentinels refused them entrance.
The discussion which this occasioned brought out the valet-de-chambre,
Koepstorf, the favorite and confidant of the young prince.

'It is impossible, your excellency, to announce you now,' said he to
Duecker. 'His grace is so shaken by the intelligence of the king's
death that he has yielded himself up entirely to his sad feelings, and
cannot turn his attention to anything else. The gentlemen must come
again to-morrow morning.'

'My God!' cried Duecker, 'you desire a delay of many hours, when
Sweden's fate, perhaps, hangs upon as many moments. In consequence of
the king's death, the duke is lawful heir to the crown. We have opened
the way to the throne for him. The army is upon his side. He has only
to make his appearance and harangue the troops, and they will call him
to the royal station, in the possession of which he will be protected
by his good right. But if he delay, his aunt will gain possession; and,
once upon the throne, she will thence obtain the power to maintain
herself there. I conjure you, friend, to present all this to your lord,
and beseech him to hear the r