ithout anger, but with tranquil kindness, as you would of a beloved
being who has preceded you to that eternal world where you hope to see
her once again. I shall never forget you.

'GEORGINA VON EYBEN.'

Poor Arwed sank upon a seat as if annihilated. The faithful Brodin
observed him with looks of the deepest sympathy. All at once the
youth's eyes began to flash with savage fury. He sprung up, and,
seizing the old man with a lion's rage, thundered in his ears, 'this
whole affair is a fable devised for my deception!'

'Holy Savior! what is it you think?' cried the trembling Brodin.

'I have read in many old tales,' cried Arwed, with bitter anguish, 'of
pretended marriages, and forged letters of renunciation, by which
hearts have been artfully torn asunder, that would else have remained
eternally united.'

'Why, hey, count Arwed,' said Brodin chidingly, 'how can you so
misjudge your noble father as to suppose him guilty of such an
offence?'

'I know,' answered Arwed, 'that my father considers the dissolution of
my connection with Georgina a matter of the utmost importance. A
counsellor of the realm stands high enough to permit himself to do many
things that would carry a common citizen to a criminal's dungeon. The
whole may be a specimen of the newest Swedish political management.'

'Believe what you please, major!' angrily exclaimed Brodin. 'The letter
you have just read, I received from the hands of the writer, when I was
with her in obedience to your father's command.'

'Brodin!' said the agitated Arwed, 'you are an old man! So near the
grave, you will not defile your soul with a lie; therefore answer me,
honest and true, as you have been through the whole course of your long
life--is Georgina actually married?'

'By my God and his holy gospel!' cried the gray old man, solemnly
placing his hand upon his heart, 'I was myself, by her command, in the
cathedral church of Lubec, and saw her married to the imperial
counsellor von Eyben.'

'It is then true!' sighed Arwed, again sinking back into his seat.

Brodin approached, with humid eyes, to speak some words of
consolation,--but Arwed motioned him back, and the old man left the
room in silent sorrow.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

As Arwed was still sitting in his chamber, his arms convulsively folded
upon his breast, as if he would stifle his inward grief by the outward
pressure, with lar