CHAPTER XVI.
The guards had marched into Stockholm. Arwed had performed all the duties of his service, and now flew towards the Blasiusholm to the house of the post-captain who had freely received and sheltered the deserted daughters of the unhappy Goertz. The moment he mentioned his name he was shown into Georgina's room. With a pale face and wasted frame she came forward to meet him. Ardently would he have folded her in his arms, but she held back and merely presented to him her thin white hand, whose icy coldness filled him with alarm.
'Thou hast not saved my father?' asked she with a trembling voice.
'By my honor!' cried Arwed, grieved at the silent reproach conveyed by the question; 'I did every thing in my power, but hard fate was stronger than my honest endeavors.'
'I must believe it,' answered Georgina, 'and thank you for your good intentions. If you are yet willing to make further efforts in my behalf, procure for me through your influence an interview with my father. They have hitherto rejected all my petitions with inhuman severity.'
'Whatever lies in my power I will essay for the accomplishment of your wish,' replied Arwed with much agitation.
'Leave me then for the present,' said Georgina. 'Go and make the effort and bring me word that they will extend towards my father a privilege which even robbers and murderers would not be denied.'
'Do you drive me from you so soon, Greorgina?' asked Arwed mournfully. 'Is this the welcome of a beloved and loving betrothed?'
'Betrothed?' sighed Georgina with a melancholy smile. 'Ah, dear Arwed! that is a subject upon which we must speak no more. The daughter of the man whom Sweden accuses of high treason, can never give her hand in marriage to a Swede.'
'Thinkest thou so meanly of me?' cried Arwed, with great earnestness. 'But no, you do not really think so. You only pretend indignation to conceal your want of affection. From the youth whom you once deemed worthy of your love, you must at least expect that your present misfortunes will bind him to you with still stronger chains.'
A faint blush flitted over Georgina's pale cheeks, and her eyes glistened. She hastily approached Arwed and laid her hand upon his breast. 'I know,' said she proudly, 'that whatever love and honor may demand of a Gyllenstierna, you will obey their voice in every circumstance of life. But a noble German maiden dares not forget what concerns her own honor,--and this commands me to refuse you my hand so long as your own countrymen can with propriety pronounce your union with me a misalliance.'
'You no longer love me!' complained Arwed.
Georgina gave him a glance in which shone all the glow of her first love, and, unconsciously, her eyes filled with tears. At last the all-powerful passion conquered. She threw her arms about his neck and pressed him to her bosom. 'Go, and strive!' sobbed she, retreating into a side cabinet.
Arwed wished to follow her, but hearing her draw the bolt on the inner side, he departed, bitterly afflicted with a confused throng of contending feelings.