e.
Shall I follow the conquering path of the great king, inspired by his
presence, and perhaps rewarded with his approbation whenever an
opportunity for good service may occur, and struggle to obtain the
chaplet of honor through my own deservings; or shall I, in obedience to
the arbitrary will of my father, repair to Armfelt's corps for the
purpose of supplanting meritorious warriors by means of a wicked
favoritism? Decide! What you advise, that will I do.'

'Thou art magnanimous, Arwed,' said Georgina, smiling through her
tears. 'Thou wishest to flatter a maiden's vanity, so that she may the
less acutely feel the sorrow of parting. How shall I be so presumptuous
as to counsel a youth who is as headstrong as ever could have been the
king himself?'

'Upon my honor!' cried Arwed impatiently, 'I desire thy counsel in real
earnest. My own feelings have long since decided,--but I wish to be
governed not by my own feelings, but by what is right, and that I find
only in thy clear soul.'

'Thou demandest of me the performance of a delicate and responsible
duty,' said Georgina with emotion. 'Were I to obey only the voice of
anxiety which speaks so loudly for thee in a loving maiden's bosom, I
had quickly decided--as, with the king is undoubtedly the greatest
danger. But in this case the voice of honor must also be heard, and thy
honor is also mine.'

'Such language is Worthy of a Swedish maiden!' cried Arwed, warmly
embracing her.

'Nor is honor alone to be considered,' proceeded Georgina. 'The
question of filial duty is also an important one. Thy father hath
declared his will, and I am not presumptuous enough to counsel
disobedience to him.'

'My God!' cried Arwed disconsolately. 'I now stand just where I did
before--and if I would ever come to a conclusion, like Alexander I must
cut the knot I cannot untie.'

'Move not towards the north, young hero!' whispered, all of a sudden in
the evening stillness, a low hoarse voice, as if from heaven.

Georgina shrieked with alarm and covered her eyes with her hands. Arwed
sprang in a rage from his rocky seat, and drew his sword. 'Who here
gives his counsel unasked?' thundered he among the rocks above him, on
whose top he observed through the fading twilight a tall human form,
wrapped in a gray mantle.

'One wiser than thou,' answered the apparition, 'and who means thee
well.'

'What have I to fear in the north?' hastily asked Arwed.

'An inglorious death!' answered the u