snatched the keys from the palsied hands of the infirm old keeper.  “I see,” said his majesty in a tone of contempt, “that I must finish this adventure”; and before his terrified suite could prevent his design, he had already opened the massy oaken door, and penetrated into the council-chamber, first pronouncing the usual formula, “with the help of God.”  The companions of his midnight excursion entered along with him, prompted by a sentiment of curiosity, stronger on this occasion even than terror; their courage too was reinforced by a feeling of shame, which forbade them to abandon their sovereign in the hour of peril.  The council-chamber was illuminated with an immense number of torches.  The ancient figured tapestry had been replaced by a black drapery suspended on the walls, along which were ranged, in regular order, and according to the custom of those days, German, Danish, and Muscovite banners, trophies of the victories won by the soldiers of Gustavus Adolphus.  In the middle were distinguished the banners of Sweden, covered with black crape.  A numerous assemblage was seated on the benches of the hall.  The four orders of the state—­the nobility, the clergy, the citizens, and the peasants,—­were ranged according to the respective disposition assigned to each.  All were clothed in black; and the multitude of human faces, that shone like so many luminous rays upon a dark ground, dazzled the sight to such a degree that, of the four individuals who witnessed this extraordinary scene, not one could discern amidst the crowd a countenance with which he was familiar; the position of the four spectators might have been compared to that of actors, who, in presence of a numerous audience, were incapable of distinguishing a single face among the confused mass.  On the elevated throne whence the monarch habitually harangued the assembly of the States, was seated a bleeding corpse, invested with the emblems of royalty.  On the right of this apparition stood a child, a crown upon his head and the sceptre in his hand; on the left an aged man, or rather another phantom, leaned upon the throne, opposite to which were several personages of austere and solemn demeanour, clothed in long black robes, and seated before a table covered with thick folios and parchments; from the gravity of their deportment the latter seemed to be judges.  Between the throne and the portion of the council-chamber above which it was elevated, were placed an axe and a block covered with black crape.  In this unearthly assembly none seemed at all conscious of the presence of Charles, or of the three individuals by whom he was accompanied.  At last the oldest of the judges in black robes—­he who appeared to discharge the functions of president—­rising with dignity, struck three times with his hand upon an open folio.  Profound silence immediately succeeded; some youths of distinguished appearance, richly dressed, and with their hands fettered behind their backs, were led into the council-chamber by a door opposite