rich had told him.

"It may be so," said Louise; "but yet I have not been able to lose
the idea all the morning that you have been deceived. Not one of her
features resembles yours. Can brother and sister be so different as you
and she? Yet, be the truth as it may, promise me not to think too much
about it. There is a good Ruler above who can turn all things for the
best."

"These horrible circumstances," said Otto, "have robbed me of the
cheerfulness of my youth. They thrust themselves disturbingly into my
whole future. Not to Wilhelm--no, not to any one have I been able to
confide them. You know all! God knows that you were compelled to learn
them. I leave myself entirely in your hands!"

He pressed her hand silently, and with the earnest glance of confidence
and truth they looked at each other.

"I shall speedily leave my native country," said Otto. "It may be
forever. I should return with sorrow to a home where no happiness
awaited me. I stand so entirely alone in the world!"

"But you have friends," said Louise; "sincere friends. You must think
with pleasure of returning home to Denmark. My mother loves you as if
she were your own mother. Wilhelm and Sophie--yes, we will consider you
as a brother."

"And Sophie?" exclaimed Otto.

"Yes, can you doubt it?" inquired Louise.

"She knows me not as you know me; and if she did?"--He pressed his hands
before his eyes and burst into tears. "You know all: you know more
than I could tell her," sighed he. "I am more unfortunate than you can
believe. Never can I forget her--never!"

"For Heaven's sake compose yourself!" said Louise rising. "Some one
might come, and you would not be able to conceal your emotion. All may
yet be well! Confide only in God in heaven!"

"Do not tell your sister that which I have told you. Do not tell any
one. I have revealed to you every secret which my soul contains."

"I will be to you a good sister," said Louise, and pressed his hand.

They silently walked down the avenue.

The sisters slept in the same room.

At night, after Sophie had been an hour in bed, Louise entered the
chamber.

"Thou art become a spirit of the night," said Sophie. "Where hast thou
been? Thou art not going up into the loft again to-night, thou strange
girl? Had it been Wilhelm, Thostrup, or myself who had undertaken such a
thing, it would have been quite natural; but thou"--

"Am I, then, so very different to you all?" inquired Louise. "I should
resembl