interview with my
father. They have hitherto rejected all my petitions with inhuman
severity.'

'Whatever lies in my power I will essay for the accomplishment of your
wish,' replied Arwed with much agitation.

'Leave me then for the present,' said Georgina. 'Go and make the effort
and bring me word that they will extend towards my father a privilege
which even robbers and murderers would not be denied.'

'Do you drive me from you so soon, Greorgina?' asked Arwed mournfully.
'Is this the welcome of a beloved and loving betrothed?'

'Betrothed?' sighed Georgina with a melancholy smile. 'Ah, dear Arwed!
that is a subject upon which we must speak no more. The daughter of the
man whom Sweden accuses of high treason, can never give her hand in
marriage to a Swede.'

'Thinkest thou so meanly of me?' cried Arwed, with great earnestness.
'But no, you do not really think so. You only pretend indignation to
conceal your want of affection. From the youth whom you once deemed
worthy of your love, you must at least expect that your present
misfortunes will bind him to you with still stronger chains.'

A faint blush flitted over Georgina's pale cheeks, and her eyes
glistened. She hastily approached Arwed and laid her hand upon his
breast. 'I know,' said she proudly, 'that whatever love and honor may
demand of a Gyllenstierna, you will obey their voice in every
circumstance of life. But a noble German maiden dares not forget what
concerns her own honor,--and this commands me to refuse you my hand so
long as your own countrymen can with propriety pronounce your union
with me a misalliance.'

'You no longer love me!' complained Arwed.

Georgina gave him a glance in which shone all the glow of her first
love, and, unconsciously, her eyes filled with tears. At last the
all-powerful passion conquered. She threw her arms about his neck and
pressed him to her bosom. 'Go, and strive!' sobbed she, retreating into
a side cabinet.

Arwed wished to follow her, but hearing her draw the bolt on the inner
side, he departed, bitterly afflicted with a confused throng of
contending feelings.

CHAPTER XVII.

While the new royal counsellor, Nils count Gyllenstierna was sitting,
as two months before, employed at his writing table, Arwed timidly
entered the room.

'Aha!' said he satirically, 'the brave captain has at last the
goodness, after my repeated requests, to grant me an interview. I beg
you wil