.

BROTHER AND SISTER.
Lightly on the tips of her toes the duchess stole toward her brother, who did not yet observe her.

The thick Turkish carpet made her steps inaudible.

She already stood behind the earl, and he had not yet noticed her.
Now she bent over his shoulder, and fastened her sparkling eyes on the paper in her brother's hand.
Then she read in a loud, sonorous voice the title of it: "Complaint, because Geraldine never shows herself to her lover unless covered by her veil." [Footnote: Sonnet by Surrey .-- See Nott's Life and Works of Surrey.] "Ah," said the duchess, laughing, "now, then, I have spied out your secret, and you must surrender to me at discretion.

So you are in love; and Geraldine is the name of the chosen one to whom you address your poems! I swear to you, my brother, you will repay me dear for this secret." "It is no secret at all, sister," said the earl, with a quiet smile, as he rose from the divan and saluted the duchess.