"I saw less of Otho in my childhood," said Leoline, evasively;
"therefore, his kindness of late years seemed stranger to me than
thine."

"And thou wilt not then reject him? Thou wilt be his bride?"

"And _thy_ sister," answered Leoline.

"Bless thee, mine own dear cousin! one brother's kiss then, and
farewell! Otho shall thank thee for himself."

He kissed her forehead calmly, and, turning away, plunged into the
thicket; then, nor till then, he gave vent to such emotions as, had
Leoline seen them, Otho's suit had been lost forever; for passionately,
deeply as in her fond and innocent heart she loved Otho, the _happiness_
of Warbeck was not less dear to her.

When the young knight had recovered his self-possession he went in
search of Otho. He found him alone in the wood, leaning with folded arms
against a tree, and gazing moodily on the ground. Warbeck's noble heart
was touched at his brother's dejection.

"Cheer thee, Otho," said he; "I bring thee no bad tidings; I have seen
Leoline, I have conversed with her--nay, start not,--she loves thee! she
is thine!"

"Generous, generous Warbeck!" exclaimed Otho; and he threw himself on
his brother's neck. "No, no," said he, "this must not be; thou hast the
elder claim,--I resign her to thee. Forgive me my waywardness, brother,
forgive me!"

"Think of the past no more," said Warbeck; "the love of Leoline is an
excuse for greater offences than thine. And now, be kind to her; her
nature is soft and keen. _I_ know her well; for _I_ have studied her
faintest wish. Thou art hasty and quick of ire; but remember that a word
wounds where love is deep. For my sake, as for hers, think more of her
happiness than thine own; now seek her,--she waits to hear from thy lips
the tale that sounded cold upon mine."

With that he left his brother, and, once more re-entering the castle, he
went into the hall of his ancestors. His father still slept; he put his
hand on his gray hair, and blessed him; then stealing up to his chamber,
he braced on his helm and armour, and thrice kissing the hilt of his
sword, said, with a flushed cheek,--

"Henceforth be _thou_ my bride!" Then passing from the castle, he sped
by the most solitary paths down the rock, gained the Rhine, and hailing
one of the numerous fishermen of the river, won the opposite shore; and
alone, but not sad, for his high heart supported him, and Leoline at
least was happy, he hastened to Frankfort.

The town was all gayety