68 TWELFTH NIGHT.

evateful for being rescued from the perils of the sea, since she feared that
her twin brother was drowned, Sebastian, as dear to her as the heart in
her bosom, and so like her that, but for the difference in their manner of
dress, oné could hardly be told from the other. The Captain, for her
comfort, told her that he had seen her brother bind himself to a strong
mast that lived wpon the sea, and that thus there was hope that he might
be saved.

Viola now asked in whose country she was, and learning that the
young Duke Orsino ruled there, and was as noble in his nature as in his
name, she decided to disguise herself in male attire, and seek for employ-
ment with him as a page.

In this she succeeded, and now from day to day she had to listen to
the story of Ovsino’s love. At first she sympathised very truly with him,
but soon her sympathy grew to love. At last it oceurred to Orsino that
his hopeless love-suit might prosper better if he sent this pretty lad to
woo Olivia for him. Viola unwillingly went on this errand, but when she
came to the house, Malvolio, Olivia’s steward, a vain, officious man, sick,
as his mistress told him, of self-love,
forbade the messenger admittance.
Viola, however, (who was now called
Cesario,) refused to take any denial,
and vowed to have speech with the
Countess. Olivia,
hearing how her in-
structions were defied
and curious to see
this daring youth,
said, ‘We'll once
more hear Orsino’s
embassy.”

When Viola was
admitted to her pre-
sence and the ser-
vants had been sent
away, she listened
patiently to the re-