bain has accompanied him!' cried the trembling wife. 'I
fear some mischief is on foot here.'

'Causeless apprehension!' said Arwed; 'the clerk is with them. Megret's
undertaking will require the presence of several workmen, and his honor
as an officer is pledged for his speedy return.'

'What have you to do with that bad man?' asked the still suspicious
Christine--but the approach of two men prevented a reply. They were
Swedenborg and the superintendent of the mines. The latter separated
from Swedenborg with a respectful inclination, and passed on in
obedience to the calls of duty to some other portion of the mine.
Swedenborg however advanced towards Arwed.

'I greet you, vigorous swimmer upon the sea of misfortune,' said
Swedenborg to Arwed, offering his hand in a most friendly manner.

'Welcome to your kingdom, sir mining-counsellor!' answered Arwed. 'What
news do you bring from the upper world into this abyss?'

'I bring news of a diet which will take Ulrika's crown and place it
upon her husband's head,' said Swedenborg; 'of an armistice with
Denmark, and peace with Poland and Prussia.'

'And Russia?' asked Arwed hastily.

'Remains implacable, and is making new preparations,' answered
Swedenborg, shrugging his shoulders.

'These false steps are a great misfortune to my father-land!' cried
Arwed despondingly. 'Peace with powerful Russia should have been the
first object.'

Swedenborg had meantime kept his eyes immovably fixed upon the youth,
and now appeared to have subjected the lineaments of his face to a
sufficient trial. He became so gloomy, and the glances of his black
eyes so piercing, that Arwed could hardly support it.

'How came you by this love of peace?' he finally asked the youth in a
reproachful tone, 'when your heart is destitute of it, and you have
descended into this mine with bloody intentions?'

'If your spiritual eyes are sharp enough to read my heart,' answered
Arwed, with surprise, 'you must know and honor the motives which
actuate me.'

'Every motive is blameworthy,' answered Swedenborg, with an elevated
voice, 'which induces an earthworm to endeavor to anticipate the
dispensations of Providence. Yet will His mercy spare you this sin; for
behold, the arm of the fearful Nemesis is already raised, and at the
Lord's command it will fall in destruction upon the criminal.'

Christine had drawn close to Arwed during this conversation, and he now
perceived the feverish trembling of her f