, but in their stead the royal counsellors
are devoted to your royal highness with their lives and fortunes.'

'If ever I have a voice in these lands,' said Ulrika, warmly, 'these
good gentlemen shall not much longer wear these titles. I have never
approved of my father's course in making them servants of his own will,
instead of counsellors of the empire.'

'The senate know the gracious intuitions of your royal highness,'
answered Taube; 'and I am certain of the happy consequences. If any
thing could make me fear, it would be the cabals which baron Goertz
will not fail to set on foot for the young duke.'

'Goertz is taken care of!' cried Ulzika, with a look of hate. 'While we
are now speaking here, all power to do further mischief is, as I hope,
taken from him. Let only his house be promptly occupied and his papers
and property secured.'

'Then there are his Holstein accomplices,' added Taube: 'Dernath,
Ecklef, Paulsen, Sallern----'

'They must all be arrested this night,' decided Ulrika; 'all at the
same hour, so that no one may be warned by the fate of the others. See
to it, dear governor.'

'I will have the whole garrison under arms,' answered Taube, bowing.
'This business must be carried through with rapidity and decision, as
every thing depends upon the proper employment of the present moment.'

'And tell me, dear baron,' asked Ulrika, grasping both of his hands
with the most winning kindness, 'the senate will not compel me to buy
the crown at too high a price, will they?'

'In relation to that,' answered Taube, with a warning glance towards
the officers, who in the heat of the conversation had been overlooked
until now; 'in relation to that, I will lay my humble opinions before
your royal highness at a more private audience.'

Somewhat alarmed, Ulrika turned towards Brenner, and her glance fell
directly upon Arwed's large blue eyes, sparkling with displeasure,
which were fixed steadily upon her. She started back, and, with
difficulty summoning composure, asked, 'who is that moody young man?'

'My companion, the captain count Gyllenstierna,' answered Brenner for
his silent friend. 'A brave soldier. He was the first upon the walls of
the Golden Lion, and won the particular approbation of our late blessed
king.'

'Gyllenstierna?' asked Taube, eagerly. 'He is then the son of the
senator, and was sent by his father to Armfelt's army.'

'The worthy old man was always one of our truest friends,' said Ulrik