"Is it you, Larsson?" cried Bertel.
"Thunder and lightning, is it you, Bertel? Is it here you intend to leave the king's orders?"
"And yourself?"
"Yes, damn it, you know that I am always a lucky child! I was sent to guard a convoy, and met on the road some rascally marauders, who told me that there was an ambush in the forest. I hurried after them, and delivered a brave boy and a beautiful girl. Look at her: cheeks like a poppy, and eyes to buy fish with!"
Bertel turned round, and by his side stood a trembling girl, paralyzed with fear.
"This is Ketchen, Lady Regina's maid!" cried Bertel, who had often seen the bright girl in the company of her dull mistress.
"Save me, lieutenant, save me!" cried the girl, and caught hold of his arm. "They have taken me by force from my aunt's house."
"Larsson, I beg you to give me the girl!"
"What the devil are you thinking of? Do you want to take the girl from me?"
"Let her go free, I beg of you!"