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.