have on that account already once or twice upbraided
him severely for his eccentric and irregular course. His plan of
purchasing and settling himself in this vicinity seems to be wholly
given up, and he has become burdensome to every living creature at the
castle, but most of all to himself. I feel that my days are numbered,
and would willingly die in peace. I must therefore beg of you, Arwed,
in my name and in a courteous manner, to dismiss him from the castle.
Should he take it ill, a duel may indeed be the consequence; but you
would not hesitate to exchange a few passes for the love of your old
uncle,--would you?'

'I will set about it immediately,' said Arwed, leaving the room,
rejoiced to have an opportunity of forever ridding himself of the hated
Frenchman.

CHAPTER L.

In answer to his inquiries for Megret, Arwed learned that he had
retired into the garden in company with a strange officer. He followed
him there, and their voices guided him through the leafless and snow
covered walks to a thick grove of yew-trees, in which Megret and the
stranger were sitting. A glance through an opening in the branches of
the trees discovered to him the face of Siquier, pale and wasted by
disease and affliction; and the interest of a conversation which now
commenced between them, chained him with irresistible power to the
spot.

'What is it that you particularly want of me?' asked Megret, with
mingled embarrassment and vexation. 'We have both of us so long and so
carefully avoided each other, that this unexpected visit may well
excite my wonder.'

'I am about to leave Sweden forever,' answered Siquier, in a desponding
tone, 'and have come to take my leave of you, and to procure money for
my traveling expenses.'

'Money for traveling?' murmured Megret. 'We settled with each other
long since, and balanced our accounts. Above all, how came you to form
the resolution of leaving Sweden?'

'You know,' answered Siquier, in a low voice and looking carefully
about him, 'with what ignominy common report has branded my honor since
the king's death. I still hoped that those suspicions would gradually
die away, but they continued daily to strengthen and increase, and I
learned that my enemies with witty insolence pronounced my once
honorable name, _Sicaire_,[1] thus, by a slight change of sound
expressing the accusation with that atrocious word. Two duels followed,
and still the rumor continued