'Thanks for your love,' said Goertz, embracing Rank and Arwed, and then turning to follow his spiritual assistant. 'Now let us forth,' cried Georgina wildly, grasping the hands of the youth and of the little Magdalena, 'that we may arrive before him!' 'You cannot support the scene!' said Arwed anxiously to her. 'And should I die in his last moments,' answered Georgina, 'what a happy death!' Goertz had overheard this conversation, and turned once more towards his daughters. 'You will go hence directly back to your dwelling,' said he earnestly. 'Father!' stammered Georgina, 'shall I not see you once more?' 'It is your father's last command!' cried Goertz. 'Wouldst thou bind my soul to earth, through sorrow for thee, when its wings were already joyfully raised to take its flight to its creator? Take my daughters home, Gyllenstierna!' 'Forward!' growled Baumgardt. 'God bless you, my loves!' cried Goertz with a stronger voice, and followed his guards. CHAPTER XXV. Nine days had passed, since the ground under the Swedish gallows had drunk the blood of the worthy German. The evening was closing in, all the bells of the capital were tolling, and the thunder of cannon was heard from the Ritterholm, in honor of the royal hero who at this hour was committed to the tomb of his fathers. Arwed entered Georgina's room. He found her with Magdalena and her only maid, (whom she still retained,) in their traveling dresses. 'I thank you for coming so punctually,' said Georgina. 'You are now to render me the last service. It is not without danger, but I know you, and therefore demand it without hesitation.' 'Every thing for thee!' cried Arwed passionately. 'Then accompany me,' said she, 'upon my way to the performance of a difficult duty, in which I need a man's aid. Have every thing ready,' said she to her maid servant. 'If heaven favor our attempt, we shall soon return, directly to leave this horrible country!' She took Arwed's arm and proceeded with him to the bank of the Norderstrom. There a boat was in waiting, in which were Goertz' Holstein servants. The oars moved and the boat soon floated forth upon the peaceful lake. Georgina, wrapped in her cloak, sat upon the deck observing the stars which here and there discovered themselves in the deepening gloom of the evening. 'What project have you in hand, Georgina?' at length asked Arwed anxiously. 'I will now make it known to you,' answered she. 'I am going for my father's corpse. Ungrateful Sweden shall not hold his bones.' 'My God, you risk your life!' cried Arwed with alarm. 'I think not,' she calmly answered. 'Public duty and curiosity have drawn all Stockholm to witness the funeral solemnities of the king, and I hope to find the place deserted. And of what consequence would be my life? I risk it joyfully in the performance of my filial duty! If you fear the service, say where I shall land you.'