f heaven; and behold! the
ruby gates fly open, and the eternal mercy, sitting upon a throne woven
of rays of light, takes the weeping child softly to her bosom and dries
her tears with maternal love!'

He stepped apart, folded his hands, and silently and fervently raised
his eyes on high. Christine also folded her hands and moved her lips in
a murmured prayer.

'Thou art heard!' suddenly exclaimed Swedenborg; and at the same
instant Christine sprang up, and with outspread arms joyfully cried,
'my father!'

A white ray floated through the room, and the strings of the piano
reverberated like the dying harmony of an Eolian harp.

'He has pardoned me, he has preceded me, he expects me there!' cried
Christine in ecstasy, and immediately sank back upon her pillow.

Swedenborg approached her, and as his glance fell upon her fixed eyes,
he exclaimed with emotion: 'she is dead!'

And the clock struck the third hour of the morning.

CHAPTER LIV.

The black funereal flag was waving from the towers of Gyllensten as
Arwed slowly approached it with the remains of poor Christine. The
tolling of bells was heard from the castle chapel and from Umea, and
the domestics of the family surrounded the carriage with weeping eyes.

'How is my uncle?' asked Arwed, with fearful apprehension.

'I bring you his last greeting,' said the gray old steward, with a
trembling voice. 'He went to his God early on the day before yesterday,
about the third hour. His last word was, 'Christine!''

CHAPTER LV.

Long years had passed, and Gustavus the third sat firmly upon Sweden's
throne, as at Lubec a noble dame, upon whose pure beauty time had left
no traces, sat upon a sofa in her cabinet. She had leaned her
thoughtful head upon her full white arm, while the strong heaving of
her bosom and the mild fire of her large brown eyes betrayed the sad
and absorbing nature of the reminiscences which occupied her mind. The
door was softly opened, and a blooming maiden cautiously protruded her
head into the room and was about to withdraw it again.

'Come in, Georgina!' cried the dame. 'I am not yet asleep. Have you any
thing to say to me!'

'A young officer wishes to speak with you, mamma,' answered the
beautiful maiden, entering.

'An officer?--of the city militia?' asked the mother with some
surprise.

'No mamma,' answered the maiden, laughing. 'He appears altogether
differen