d his cousin
but too well.

'In one word,' she suddenly exclaimed, 'my father destines my hand for
you, and I shall be compelled to oppose his determination.'

'That is indeed no very flattering communication,' said Arwed. 'It
explains the unmannerly reception you gave me, however. It was nothing
but your fear of my tenderness; but as you know your father's
intentions, so you should also know the impediments, on my side, in the
way of their accomplishment. I love another maiden.'

'That I knew,' said Christine, 'but I was afraid....'

'That your cousin's truth would not be able to withstand these powerful
attractions,' said Arwed completing the sentence for her. 'You are
either very vain of your charms, beauteous cousin, or have made
acquaintance with very bad specimens of our sex.'

A deep sigh escaped from the oppressed bosom of Christine.

'Now, so long as I remain here,' continued Arwed, 'it shall be my most
anxious endeavor to restore my sex to your good opinion. In the first
place I shall quiet your apprehensions by the assurance, that my heart
is entirely filled by a distant and beloved object,--that I shall never
become troublesome to you as a suitor,--and that I will decline the
proposed connection with so much decision, that the anger of our
parents shall fall entirely on myself. I would love you as a brother
should love a sister; but I would also be allowed the brother's right
to tell you the truth whenever I may think it necessary to your
welfare,--would counsel you,--warn you....'

'Yes, Arwed, be my brother!' cried Christine, with a convulsive
pressure of his hand. 'Ah, that you could always have been so!'

'By this, however,' said Arwed, 'I must consider myself as having
acquired some claim to your sisterly confidence. I am glad to know that
you can feel no other sentiment for me, as it would give me pain to be
compelled to reject your heart as well as your hand. But I cannot
possibly believe that your coldness extends to the whole sex. That,
indeed, would be still more unnatural than your horse-racing and
bear-hunting; No, no! your heart is not insensible. The glance of your
eye, like the diamond, now flashing fire, and now dissolving in
crystals, has already revealed it. You know what it is to love!'

'You afflict me cruelly, cousin!' cried Christine, holding her hand
before her traitorous eyes.

'Confide in me,' entreated Arwed, affectionately withdrawing her hand
from her face. 'Go back wi