and demanded his share of the property.  The only answer was a sneer, and the youth, maddened with grief and indignation, drew his sword and plunged it in his tormentor’s heart.  A moment later he saw the probable consequences of his hasty action, concealed himself in the woods, and thenceforth became a fugitive, renounced even by his own uncle, and obliged to remain in hiding in order to escape certain death at the hands of the murdered man’s kindred.  In a fortunate moment he had chanced to reach Floersheim, where, in his shepherd’s guise, he judged himself secure.

Adeline, deeply moved by the tale, sought to put her sympathy in the practical form of advice.

“Dear Otto,” she said, “let us go to my father and tell him all.  We must dispatch an embassy to your uncle in Thuringen, to see whether he may not consent to a division of the property.  Take courage, and your rightful position may yet be assured.”

So it was arranged that on the following day the lovers should seek Sir Bodo and ask his advice in the matter.  But alas! ere their plans could be carried out Bodo himself sent for his daughter and informed her that he had chosen a husband for her, Sir Siegebert, a wealthy and noble knight, just returned from Palestine.

In vain Adeline wept and implored.  Her father remained adamant, and at last lost his temper and confined her within strict bounds till she should consent to the marriage.  Sir Siegebert was but ill pleased with her pale cheeks and haggard eyes and her obvious distaste for his society; and seeing this, Bodo was more than ever wroth, and swore to send her to a nunnery if she did not greet her lover with a better face.

Day after day Otto waited at the trysting-place, yet his mistress did not appear, nor did she send him any message.  He was filled with anguish at the thought that her ardent vows were forgotten, and wandered through the woods like one distraught, seeking solace and finding none.  At length news reached him that on the morrow his beloved was to wed with the knight Siegebert, and his last shred of hope vanished.  He made his way to a bridge where he had often watched for Adeline’s coming, and with a prayer flung himself into the turbid stream beneath.

Meanwhile the unceasing cruelty to which Adeline had been subjected had reduced her to a state of terrified submission, so that, scarce knowing what she did, she consented to wed Siegebert.  At length all was in readiness for the ceremony; the bells were ringing gaily, the feast was spread, and the bride arrayed in her wedding dress.  Unseen she slipped out by a little postern gate and made her way quickly to the hut of her shepherd.  Alas! it stood empty.  In despair she ran hither and thither, calling his name in anguished accents.  Suddenly she espied some shepherds endeavouring to draw something out of the water.  A strange instinct told her the truth, and she crept closer to the little group.  One glance sufficed to show her that it was her lover’s corpse which was being taken ashore.  No need to ask how he had perished, or why!  With a wild cry she flung herself into the stream where Otto had met his death, and was speedily overwhelmed.