son?' asked he in a friendly tone.

'An audience of the king,' answered Arwed: 'of whom I have a personal
request to make.'

'The king is now pressingly engaged,' said the general. 'The princes of
Hesse and Holstein-Gottorp are with him. If you are willing to entrust
your business with me I will faithfully communicate it to him.'

'I thankfully acknowledge your goodness, general,' answered Arwed. 'I
am convinced that my request to be enrolled in the army might safely be
confided to your hands; but I am very desirous to see the face of my
king, a happiness which I have never yet enjoyed. I was not yet born
when he left Stockholm.'

'Whither he has never since returned, I know,' said the general with a
heavy sigh. 'You look so fresh and true hearted that I will do what you
desire. Come with me.'

Arwed followed the general. The door of the royal chamber at that
moment opened. A man was standing by a table, upon which were lying a
bible, a map of Norway and a plan of Frederickshall. His blue,
unornamented riding coat, with large brass buttons, his narrow black
neck-stock, his thin locks, which bristled in every direction, the
broad yellow leather shoulder-band, from which his long sword depended,
and his large cavalry boots, would have led to the conclusion that he
was a subaltern officer,--but his tall, noble figure, his beautiful
forehead, his large soft blue eyes, and his well formed nose, gave to
his whole appearance something so majestic, and so highly distinguished
him from two embroidered, starred and ribboned lords who were with him
in the room, that Arwed instantly recognized his hitherto unknown king.

'The trenches opened on the fourth,' said the king, fretfully tracing
upon the plan with his finger. 'They ought to be further advanced!'

'Certainly, your majesty!' answered Arwed's protector in a sad tone.
'One feels tempted to believe that he who conducts these works either
cannot or will not advance them, and it must be conceded that colonel
Megret understands his business.'

'I know what you would say, Duecker,' said Charles with a severe
countenance. 'But I will give you a useful lesson. You must not speak
ill of any one when you are speaking with your king.'

Making an effort to suppress his feelings, and followed by the scornful
smile of the eldest prince, Duecker retired,--whilst the other, a youth
of about Arwed's age, amused himself with examining the new comer with
a far from becoming hauteur.