CHAPTER XII.
Dark and gigantic in the evening dusk arose the proud palace of the baron von Goertz, and the unlighted windows and the perfect silence which reigned in and about it gave it the unpleasant appearance of a deserted spectre-castle. Only in one room shone a dull light which resembled the blue flame that burns in ruins over buried treasures.
'That is Georgina's light,' said Arwed to himself, agitated with the conflicting emotions of sorrow and joy. He pushed open a little side door near the great portal, and creeping softly up the deserted stairs passed through the echoing corridors towards Georgina's chamber. As he entered he saw his beloved sitting at a table and with streaming eyes reading the note in which he had warned her of her father's danger. Her right hand supported her drooping head,--her left had been taken possession of by the little Magdalena, who was endeavoring to administer friendly and childlike consolation.
'Heaven be praised!' said Arwed. 'Thou hast received my letter in time, and thy father is saved!'--
'Would to God it were so!' cried Georgina, with a sorrow so deep that it left no room in her heart for joy at again seeing her lover. 'My father departed yesterday for Frederickshall. He is accustomed to travel with rapidity, and before my courier can overtake him he will be already in the hands of his enemies.'
'That depends upon who the courier is,' said Arwed encouragingly. 'I have determined to save the father of my beloved, and to spare my country the commission of a crime. I will set forth, and should a couple of horses fall dead under me it will be a small matter. I am only held back for the moment by my concern for thee. This palace will soon be occupied, and thy father's property confiscated. What a scene will await thee if thou remainest without a protector in the desolated house!'
'Be not anxious for me,' said Georgina, ringing the bell. 'I will immediately repair, with my sister, to the count Dernath's, where we are certain of a right friendly reception.
'Dernath and all thy father's friends will be arrested this night!' cried Arwed, in deep anguish.
'I nevertheless can find some place of refuge in Stockholm,' answered Georgina; 'and thou canst with confidence devote thyself to the discharge of a duty to which thy heart impels thee.'
Meanwhile the governess of Georgina entered, clasping her hands in astonishment at finding a strange young officer in the bed-room of her pupil.
'Do not alarm yourself respecting my companion, dear governess!' cried Georgina. 'Your attention is now required by affairs of more importance. Instantly call the women and the two Holstein, lacqueys. Let some of the best of mine and Magdalena's things be packed up, and send the steward to provide a boat. We will immediately repair to Blasius Holm, to the old invalid post-captain who was, three years ago, ransomed at Ystad by my father.'
'Accompanied by this cavalier?' cried the terrified governess. 'This looks like an elopement, baroness!'
'Would to God it were!' said Georgina sorrowfully. 'But this cavalier's way lies in quite another direction. The king is dead, my father a prisoner if he be not saved by scarcely less than a miracle, and during this very night will this palace be stormed as though it were a strong hold of the Danes. Therefore hasten, for our moments are counted!'
Wringing her hands, and followed by the weeping Magdalena, the governess retired.
'Will you not also save your father's papers and valuables?' asked Arwed. 'The hands which will rummage here will be none of the purest.'
'No!' answered Georgina after some reflection. 'Let the commissioners do that for which they may be able to answer to God and their own honor. I will not venture to touch my father's property. Besides, I am too proud to take any thing with me out of Sweden which might be claimed as the property of the state. Hasten you, now, to the rescue of my beloved father. He was to proceed through Westgothland and to pass by Stroemstadt. I can give you no more precise information of his route.'
'Let me first accompany you to your asylum,' said Arwed. 'Before that, I cannot leave you in peace.'
'God knows how great a consolation your attendance upon me would be,' answered Georgina: 'but the question now is not of my consolation or your peace, dear Arwed,--but of my father's rescue. An hour's delay may be death to him. Therefore go at once, Arwed, fly, save, and there is no reward which you may not demand of me in exchange for the life of my beloved parent.'
Saying this, she threw her white arms about his neck, printed a fervent kiss upon his lips, and gently thrust him out of the door.