nknown, and instantly vanished.

'Strange,' said Arwed, slowly returning his sword to its scabbard.

'Now am I to decide!' cried Georgina, tremblingly attaching herself to
him. 'Obey the voice, Arwed, it appeared to be that of a friend.'

'Prophecies were always disagreeable to me,' said Arwed. 'Imposition or
fanaticism, it makes no difference. Now am I almost determined to go to
Armfelt, merely to prove that I give no heed to such jugglery.'

'Hast thou forgotten what there awaits thee?' anxiously asked Georgina.

'An inglorious death would indeed be the greatest calamity that could
befal me,' said Arwed; 'and the voice sounded so honest.'

'If thou lovest me, obey it,' implored Georgina,--and at that moment
her companion approached to remind her that it was high time to return
to the city.

'Fare thee well, my beloved life!' said Arwed, locking the sobbing
maiden in his arms.

'Thou goest to Frederickshall?' inquired she, faintly.

'Hast thou not united the wish with my love?' asked the youth in
return, and long and silently he pressed her beloved form to his bosom.

'Hasten, baroness!' anxiously entreated her companion.

Georgina finally forced herself from his embrace. 'I believe in a good
God!' exclaimed she with a sort of inspiration: 'we shall meet again.'

The ladies proceeded to the boat which was waiting for them. Arwed
remained standing silently on the spot where he had received Georgina's
last kiss, gazing after the receding boat, until it disappeared in the
shadow which the old Gothic church of the Ritterholm, behind which the
moon was now rising, threw over the waters of the Malar.

CHAPTER III.

The Swedish trumpets were sounding and the drums beating an alarm, as
Arwed and his groom rode into the camp before Frederickshall. In every
direction the footsoldiers were parading before their barracks under
arms, and the cavalry were standing by their horses, ready to mount.
With great trouble Arwed pressed his steed through the warlike throng,
and finally arrived at the quarters of the king,--where he paused,
looking in every direction for some one to announce him.

At length, an aged officer, in a general's uniform, came along the
passage-way between the tents, bending his steps towards the royal
barrack. The sentinel at the door presented arms to him. Acknowledging
the courtesy in a kindly manner, his glance fell upon Arwed. 'Do you
seek any one here, my