ithstanding you have
had a great share in bringing about the peace. Had you not brought the
king to better thoughts when already the whole negociation threatened
to miscarry, I should never have arrived where I am to-day.'

'Yes,' answered Rhenskioeld, coldly: 'it gives me pleasure to learn
that I have been the ladder upon which you have mounted to the
pinnacle, and I wish you joy of it.'

He bowed very formally and departed. Goertz himself lighted him out.
'Another friend lost!' said he as he came back. 'I already perceive
that this peace is too advantageous for Rhenskioeld not to envy my
instrumentality in its conclusion.'

Directly, he heard a slight knock at the door, and a delicate voice
asked, 'may we now come in?'

'Walk in!' cried Goertz, who well knew the little voice, with a smile
of paternal pleasure, and his little daughter Magdalena, led by
Georgina, skipped into the room. With impetuous, feeling, Georgina fell
upon his neck, whilst Magdalena climbed upon his knees and compelled
him to take her in his arms.

'Ou peut-on etre mieux qu'au sein de sa famille?' said the father,
kissing the little Magdalena right heartily. 'My own house, I verily
believe, is the only place in Sweden where I can meet with sincere
affection.'

'Yes, indeed, my father,' said Georgina with a sigh. 'I daily perceive
more and more clearly how little justice you have to expect in a
country you are laboring to save. The audience this evening denied you
is a fresh instance. The princess was not ill--she feigned illness that
she might have a pretext for refusing to see you.'

'It will be indeed an evil day for me,' said Goertz, smiling, 'when my
destiny shall be in the hands of Ulrika. She can never forgive me that
her brother now places that confidence in me which he has always
withheld from her. But how comes it that you, Georgina, with your
fifteen years, evince such deep observation?'

Long did he look at her in deep meditation. 'In truth,' proceeded he,
'it appears to me that you have shot up wonderfully tall, and that
which with you women they call reason has developed itself with
wonderful rapidity. Right beauteous are you, also, and in your eyes I
see a kindling of enthusiasm. You cannot yet by any means have learned
that you have a heart?'

Georgina, who during this sharp review had kept her eyes cast down, now
raised them timidly up and sought to read the expression of her
father's face. The kindness and good nature