Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/123

Rh he was certain that one of them was his sister; but which one? As Tania would make no sign, the count tried the diamond ring; but it fitted both girls.

"Let us do this," said he, at last, in a low voice, to one of his servants. "Let us take a pair of sheep's bladders, put them on my arm, while you thrust a knife into them. The blood will flow, and my sister, who will think I am being killed, is sure to make herself known."

This was done. The blood flowed, and the brother fell as though dead into the arms of his servants, who stood round in readiness to receive him; while Tania, thinking her brother was really dead, threw her arms round his neck, exclaiming,—

"Oh, my dear, dear brother!"

The count jumped up, embraced her, and welcomed her new friend.

Next day the count gave his sister in marriage to a very handsome young prince, while he himself married her friend Varia, who, it turned out, was the daughter of a king, but had been stolen when quite a child by the wicked old witch who had died in the fiery sea.

Count Daniel Nathaniel made his sister wear a red ribbon round her neck with her name on it, and his wife, the Princess Varia, a blue one with her name, so that he and his friends might know which was which.