arbeck'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 grey hair, and blessed him; then stealing up to his
chamber, he braced on his helm and armour, and thrice kissing the hilt
of fate sword, said, with a flushed check:

"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 gaiety and life, arms clanged at every corner, the
sounds of martial music, the wave of banners, the glittering of plumed
casques, the neighing of war-steeds, all united to stir the blood and
inflame the sense. St. Bertrand had lifted the sacred cross along the
shores of the Rhine, and the streets of Frankfort witnessed with what
success!

On that same day Warbeck assumed the sacred badge, and was enlisted
among the knights of the Emperor Conrad.

We must suppose some time to have elapsed, and Otho and Leoline were
not yet wedded; for, in the first fervour of his gratitude to his
brother, Otho had proclaimed to his father and to Leoline the conquest
Warbeck had obtained over himself; and Leoline, touched to the heart,
would not consent that the wedding should take place immediately. "Let
him, at least," said she, "not be insulted by a premature festivity;
and