“Yes, my brave boy; but you are going without knowing why, and you know what an important affair requires your presence here.” “My father has given me a month to consider the matter, and I shall devote that time to the interests of another. A good deed is often fruitful in good advice. Besides, we will see about it on my return.” “How!” anxiously asked the general; “don’t you like this match? They say that Ulrica d’Ahlefeld is very beautiful. Tell me, have you seen her?” “I believe I have,” said Ordener. “Yes, I believe that she is handsome.” “Well?” rejoined the governor. “Well,” said Ordener, “she will never be my wife.” These cold, decisive words startled the general as if he had received a violent blow. He recalled the suspicions of the haughty countess. “Ordener,” said he, shaking his head, “I ought to be wise, for I have sinned. Well, I am nothing but an old fool! Ordener, the prisoner has a daughter--” “Oh,” cried the young man, “General, I wanted to speak to you of her. I ask your protection, father, for that helpless and oppressed young girl.” “Indeed,” said the governor, gravely, “your request is urgent.” Ordener recovered himself. “And why should it not be urgent for a poor captive whose life, and, what is far more precious, her honor, is in danger?” “Life! honor! Why, I still govern here, and I know nothing of all these horrors! Explain yourself.” “Noble father, the lives of the prisoner and his defenceless daughter are threatened by an infernal plot.” “What you say is serious. What proofs have you?” “The oldest son of a powerful family is even now at Munkholm. He is there to seduce Countess Ethel; he told me so himself.” The general started back. “Good God! Poor, forlorn creature! Ordener, Ordener, Ethel and Schumacker are under my protection. Who is this wretch? What is the name of the family?” Ordener approached the general and wrung his hand. “It is the D’Ahlefeld family.” “D’Ahlefeld!” said the governor. “Yes, it is all clear. Lieutenant Frederic is at Munkholm now. My noble Ordener, would they marry you to such a brood! I understand your aversion, Ordener.” The old man, folding his arms, thought for some moments, then clasped Ordener in his embrace. “Ordener, you may go. Your friends shall not lack protection; I will guard them. Yes, go; you are perfectly right. That infernal Countess d’Ahlefeld is here; did you know it?” “The noble lady, Countess d’Ahlefeld,” said the usher, opening the door. At that name, Ordener mechanically withdrew to the back of the room; and the countess, entering without seeing him, exclaimed,-- “General, your pupil is deceiving you. He never went to Munkholm.” “Indeed?” said the general. “Good gracious, no! My son Frederic, who has just left the palace, was on duty yesterday in the donjon, and he saw no one.” “Really, noble lady?” repeated the general. “So,” added the countess, with a triumphant smile, “you need not wait for your Ordener any longer, General.”