Her sister watched her anxiously,
She saw that she was changed;
And felt, although she would not own,
Somewhat they were estranged.
For sudden and unnatural
Was often Minna's glee;
And her fond sister saw the tears
She was not meant to see.
One day she watched her steal away
Towards a little wood;
Ah! what could Minna's young glad heart
Desire of solitude?
She saw her bend above a scroll,
She saw her bend and weep;
"My own sweet sister, why should'st thou
Such weary secret keep?"
Unseen she reached the reader's side:
Ah! doth she see aright?
There is a name upon the scroll,—
Her own betrothed knight.
She had, herself, when but a child,
Been named Count Rodolph's bride;
Alas! now for her woman's love,
And for her woman's pride.
