One day there came to Sir Bodo a youth of pleasing manners and appearance, picturesquely clad in rustic garb, who begged that he might enter the knight’s service in the capacity of shepherd.  Though he hinted that he was of noble birth, prevented by circumstances from revealing his identity, yet he based his request solely on his merits as a tender of flocks and herds, and as Sir Bodo found that he knew his work well and that his intelligence was beyond question, he gave him the desired post.  As time went on Sir Bodo saw no reason to regret his action, for his flocks and herds prospered as they had never done before, and none but good reports reached him concerning his servant.

Meantime Adeline heard constant references to Otto (as the shepherd was called) both from her father and her waiting-women.  The former praised his industry and abilities, while the latter spoke of his handsome looks and melancholy air, his distinction and good breeding, and the mystery which surrounded his identity.  All this excited the maiden’s curiosity, and her pity was aroused as well, for it seemed that the stranger had a secret grief, which sometimes found vent in tears when he thought himself unobserved.

Adeline saw him for the first time one afternoon while she was walking in the castle grounds.  At sight of her he paused as though spell-bound, and the maiden blushed under his earnest scrutiny.  A moment later, however, he recovered himself, and courteously asked her pardon for his seeming rudeness.

“Forgive me, fair lady,” said he; “it seemed that I saw a ghost in your sweet face.”

Adeline, who had recognized him from the descriptions she had received, now made herself known to him, and graciously granted him permission to walk with her to the castle.  His offence was readily pardoned when he declared that the cause of it was a fancied resemblance between Adeline and a dear sister whom death had lately robbed him of.  Ere they parted the young people were already deeply in love with one another, and had promised to meet again on the following day.  The spot where they had first encountered each other became a trysting-place which was daily hallowed by fresh vows and declarations.

On one such occasion Otto told his beloved the story of his early life and revealed to her his identity.  It was indeed a harrowing tale, and one which drew a full meed of sympathy from the maiden.

Otto and his sister—­she whose likeness in Adeline’s face had first arrested his attention—­had been brought up by a cruel stepfather, who had treated them so brutally that Otto was at length forced to flee to the castle of an uncle, who received him kindly and gave him an education befitting his knightly station.  A few years later he had returned home, to find his sister dead—­slain by the ill-treatment of her stepfather, who, it was even said, had hastened her death with poison.  Otto, overcome with grief, confronted her murderer, heaped abuse on his head,