ce, 'I require your word of honor, and your knightly
hand, Gyllenstierna, that this permission shall in no way be abused.'

Arwed started. The thought, how advantage might be taken of such a
permission, now for the first time arose in his honest soul.

His hand shrunk as if he would have drawn it back; but the prince
extended his, and Arwed finally took it.

'Adieu,' said the prince, dismissing them in the most friendly manner,
and the two petitioners left the palace.

CHAPTER XIX.

'What is now to be done to advance the main object?' asked Conradi of
the sullenly silent Arwed. 'I think we had better send a pressing
petition to the diet, although I should hope nothing from it. They will
leave every thing to the special commission,--and from the people, who
are congratulating each other and rejoicing that they have become
coadjutors in this business, we have nothing to expect.'

'Have they done that?' asked Arwed eagerly.

'Yes,' answered Conradi. 'Some among them have presumed openly to say,
if Goertz does not lose his head this time, we shall lose ours.'

'Miserable spirit of party!' cried Arwed; 'under whose shield the judge
may venture unpunished to throw his own hatred into the scale against
the accused.'

For a while they walked on silently together. All at once Arwed
stopped. 'God has given me a thought!' said he. 'The young duke arrived
here yesterday. Goertz has never ceased to be his servant. He was only
_loaned_ to Sweden, and the duke must interfere in his favor. The
officer of a foreign sovereign cannot be judged here.'

'It is undeniable,' said Conradi thoughtfully, 'that the duke has the
right and it is also his duty to interfere. The question is, however,
has he the will? This prince still flatters himself that he has yet a
chance of ascending the Swedish throne, and will not, therefore, be
willing to lessen his influence with the diet.'

'The attempt must be made,' cried Arwed resolutely. 'I will hasten to
him. Have the goodness to send information to the baroness Goertz upon
the Blasiusholm, that she will, as I hope, be permitted to visit her
father; and, God willing, we will meet in the morning at the Suedermalm
council house.'

They shook hands and separated, Arwed flew to the palace of the duke of
Holstein Gottorp. He was immediately announced and admitted. With an
irresolute face, wherein hope and fear alternately prevailed, came the
young prince t