n flashed the array of horsemen; far up
the steep ascent wound the gorgeous cavalcade; the lonely towers of
Liebenstein heard the echo of many a laugh and peal of merriment. Otho
bore home his bride to the hall of Sternfels.

That night there was a great banquet in Otho's castle; the lights shone
from every casement, and music swelled loud and ceaselessly within.

By the side of Otho, glittering with the prodigal jewels of the East,
sat the Greek. Her dark locks, her flashing eye, the false colours of
her complexion, dazzled the eyes of her guests. On her left hand sat the
Templar.

"By the holy rood," quoth the Templar, gayly, though he crossed himself
as he spoke, "we shall scare the owls to-night on those grim towers
of Liebenstein. Thy grave brother, Sir Otho, will have much to do to
comfort his cousin when she sees what a gallant life she would have led
with thee."

"Poor damsel!" said the Greek, with affected pity, "doubtless she will
now be reconciled to the rejected one. I hear he is a knight of a comely
mien."

"Peace!" said Otho, sternly, and quaffing a large goblet of wine.

The Greek bit her lip, and glanced meaningly at the Templar, who
returned the glance.

"Nought but a beauty such as thine can win my pardon," said Otho,
turning to his bride, and gazing passionately in her face.

The Greek smiled.

Well sped the feast, the laugh deepened, the wine circled, when Otho's
eye rested on a guest at the bottom of the board, whose figure was
mantled from head to foot, and whose face was covered by a dark veil.

"Beshrew me!" said he, aloud, "but this is scarce courteous at our
revel: will the stranger vouchsafe to unmask?"

These words turned all eyes to the figure, and they who sat next it
perceived that it trembled violently; at length it rose, and walking
slowly, but with grace, to the fair Greek, it laid beside her a wreath
of flowers.

"It is a simple gift, ladye," said the stranger, in a voice of such
sweetness that the rudest guest was touched by it; "but it is all I can
offer, and the bride of Otho should not be without a gift at my hands.
May ye both be happy!"

With these words, the stranger turned and passed from the hall silent as
a shadow.

"Bring back the stranger!" cried the Greek, recovering her surprise.
Twenty guests sprang up to obey her mandate.

"No, no!" said Otho, waving his hand impatiently. "Touch her not, heed
her not, at your peril."

The Greek bent over the flower