l take a seat upon the sofa, and I will be at your service
directly.'

Arwed, however, remained standing with a sad and resigned countenance,
as he had determined to submit patiently to the censures of his
passionate father, whose political ambition had now attained its utmost
gratification.

The old counsellor continued writing for a short time, and then,
signing his name with an energetic stroke of the pen, he arose and
stepped immediately in front of his son, with folded arms and an angry
countenance.

'Where shall I begin with my reproaches!' blustered he at length. 'You
have committed so many excesses in so short a time, that it is
difficult for me to select, and I can only fix my mind upon the
result--that you are a ruined, yes, in the strictest sense, a _lost
son_, with whom I am destined to have much trouble and sorrow.'

'That I went to the king's army against your will...?' commenced Arwed,
pleadingly.

'That is the least!' proceeded the father, interrupting him. 'You have
proceeded so far in your evil way, that even so shameless an act of
disobedience has become a mere trifle, unworthy of consideration in
comparison with your ulterior conduct. Besides, you may find some
excuse for that act, in what has recently happened. According to
despatches this day received, Armfelt's corps has been miserably frozen
up in the ice mountains on its retreat towards Jemtland, and although
you have caused me much sorrow, I am yet glad that your obstinacy has
this time saved you from an inglorious death.'

'Thanks to thee, true warner,' said Arwed tremblingly to himself;--then
addressing his father: 'if that be not the cause of your anger, may I
beg of you to name my other transgressions. From your justice I have a
right to hope that I shall be allowed to exculpate myself.'

'Bold and insolent as usual!' grumbled the old man. '_Quasi re bene
gesta_ comes he before me, while he thinks I am not acquainted with his
conduct. Who joined himself to the deputation which endeavored to have
the duke of Holstein proclaimed in the camp as king of Sweden? Who
obtruded himself as a companion upon colonel Brenner, that he might
insult the queen and warn Goertz of his well-deserved fate? Who
threatened colonel Baumgardt with a challenge for doing his duty? Who
has been this very day to visit the daughter of the arch-traitor, for
whom the scaffold is already preparing?'

'You are very accurately informed, my father,' answered Arwed.