Once on a time, dear cousin, there lived among these mountains a certain chief who had two sons, and an orphan like thyself dwelt also in his halls.

And the elder son--but no matter, let us not waste words on _him_!--the younger son, then, loved the orphan dearly,--more dearly than cousins love; and fearful of refusal, he prayed the elder one to urge his suit to the orphan.

Leoline, my tale is done.

Canst thou not love Otho as he loves thee ?" And now lifting his eyes to Leoline, he saw that she trembled violently, and her cheek was covered with blushes.
"Say," continued he, mastering himself, "is not that flower his--present--a token that he is chiefly in thy thoughts ?" "Ah, Warbeck! do not deem me ungrateful that I wear not yours also; but--" "Hush!" said Warbeck, hastily; "I am but as thy brother; is not Otho more?
He is young, brave, and beautiful.

God grant that he may deserve thee, if thou givest him so rich a gift as thy affections!" "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.