He stepped apart, folded his hands, and silently and fervently raised his eyes on high. Christine also folded her hands and moved her lips in a murmured prayer. 'Thou art heard!' suddenly exclaimed Swedenborg; and at the same instant Christine sprang up, and with outspread arms joyfully cried, 'my father!' A white ray floated through the room, and the strings of the piano reverberated like the dying harmony of an Eolian harp. 'He has pardoned me, he has preceded me, he expects me there!' cried Christine in ecstasy, and immediately sank back upon her pillow. Swedenborg approached her, and as his glance fell upon her fixed eyes, he exclaimed with emotion: 'she is dead!' And the clock struck the third hour of the morning. CHAPTER LIV. The black funereal flag was waving from the towers of Gyllensten as Arwed slowly approached it with the remains of poor Christine. The tolling of bells was heard from the castle chapel and from Umea, and the domestics of the family surrounded the carriage with weeping eyes. 'How is my uncle?' asked Arwed, with fearful apprehension. 'I bring you his last greeting,' said the gray old steward, with a trembling voice. 'He went to his God early on the day before yesterday, about the third hour. His last word was, 'Christine!'' CHAPTER LV. Long years had passed, and Gustavus the third sat firmly upon Sweden's throne, as at Lubec a noble dame, upon whose pure beauty time had left no traces, sat upon a sofa in her cabinet. She had leaned her thoughtful head upon her full white arm, while the strong heaving of her bosom and the mild fire of her large brown eyes betrayed the sad and absorbing nature of the reminiscences which occupied her mind. The door was softly opened, and a blooming maiden cautiously protruded her head into the room and was about to withdraw it again. 'Come in, Georgina!' cried the dame. 'I am not yet asleep. Have you any thing to say to me!' 'A young officer wishes to speak with you, mamma,' answered the beautiful maiden, entering. 'An officer?--of the city militia?' asked the mother with some surprise. 'No mamma,' answered the maiden, laughing. 'He appears altogether different from them. He wears a short blue jacket with straw-colored facings turned up, a white band upon his arm, the sword belt over the shoulder, and a round hat looped up, with a black plume.' 'It is a Swede?' cried the mother with great vehemence. 'His name?' 'He will only tell it to yourself,' answered Georgina; 'which I consider particularly ill-bred.' 'It is very wonderful,' said the mother:--'ask him to come in.' Georgina went, and soon returned, ushering in a well formed youth with the head of an Apollo, who reverently bowed to the dame, and immediately resumed his erect military position.