Ernestine, A Swedish Tale Summary

The story of "Ernestine" opens as the narrator is being given a tour of a mine in Sweden where criminals are condemned to hard labor. His guide is a man called Falkeneim. While in the mine, they are approached by a young man who surprises the narrator by speaking in impeccable Swedish, German, and French. The prisoner asks Falkeneim if he will carry a letter out of the mine for him and asks for news of his possible pardon. Falkeneim agrees to take a letter and informs the prisoner that there is no chance for his pardon. The prisoner leaves to go write his letter and the narrator asks the guide to tell him more about the prisoner.

The prisoner is Count Oxtiern, Falkeneim explains, originally condemned to death for his crimes, but sentenced instead by King...