cate fingers, shook the
proffered hand of the old knight, who led him to the upper end of the
table and seated him by Rosamunda's side. Familiar conversation, jests
and laughter, the delightful music, the exhilarating cup, and, more
than all these, the proximity of the blooming maiden, so warmed his
blood and confused his mind, that the question never occurred to him
how the castle came to be there, and its inhabitants to know him. He
soon became engaged in a tender conversation with Rosamunda, and but
too soon did they comprehend each other's glances. The table was now
cleared, and the dance began. Drunk with pleasure, Ryno floated through
the assembly with Rosamunda, pressing her divine form to his beating
heart, and amid the tumult and giddiness of the waltz robbing her of a
first kiss, which was warmly returned. When the dance was ended, the
company sought the refreshing coolness of the gardens. The lovers soon
found themselves in a solitary grotto, where, sunk in Ryno's embrace,
Rosamunda murmured that she would be his forever, and that she doubted
not of her father's consent to their union.

This brought the inconstant Ryno to his senses. With much embarrassment
he stammered:

'By my knightly oath and duty, I love you beyond measure, charming
girl, but I cannot become your husband, for--I am already another's.'

Tears flowed in torrents from Rosamunda's eyes, upon this declaration.
With the most violent sorrow she reproached him for having stormed her
heart and destroyed its peace, while bound by earlier ties. She
declared that she could not live without him, and at last implored him
to dissolve his first marriage, that he might become her's alone.

Ryno anxiously endeavored to effect a retreat. 'Aliande is my lawful
wife,' said he, in a tone of decision: 'and never, never will I
repudiate her.'

New reproaches, new tears, and new solicitations followed. Ardent
kisses burned upon his lips, the softest arms twined about his neck,
and the most voluptuous bosom beat against his throbbing heart. He was
almost subdued; but he summoned resolution and, gently repulsing her,
said: 'Leave me, charming maiden,--my integrity must soon wither under
your warm embrace, and with a consciousness of my baseness, I should
then stand before you as a faithless husband, a seducer of innocence,
and a dishonored knight. Pardon my frankness. Your personal charms and
yielding disposition captivate my senses, which have too often led