Shakespeare's Stories for Young Readers by E. Nesbit Page B

daughters my father has and all the brothers—Sir, shall I go to the lady?”
    â€œTo her in haste,” said the Duke, at once forgetting all about the story, “and give her this jewel.”
    So Viola went, and this time poor Olivia was unable to hide her love, and openly confessed it with such passionate truth, that Viola left her hastily, saying—
    â€œNevermore will I deplore my master’s tears to you.”
    But in vowing this, Viola did not know the tender pity she would feel for other’s suffering. So when Olivia, in the violence of her love sent a messenger, praying Cesario to visit her once more, Cesario had no heart to refuse the request.
    But the favors which Olivia bestowed upon this mere page aroused the jealousy of Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a foolish, rejected lover of hers, who at that time was staying at her house with her merry old uncle Sir Toby. This same Sir Toby dearly loved a practical joke, and knowing Sir Andrew to be an arrant coward, he thought that if he could bring off a duel between him and Cesario, there would be brave sport indeed. So he induced Sir Andrew to send a challenge, which he himself took to Cesario. The poor page, in great terror, said—
    â€œI will return again to the house, I am no fighter.”
    â€œBack you shall not to the house,” said Sir Toby, “unless you fight me first.”
    And as he looked a very fierce old gentleman, Viola thought it best to await Sir Andrew’s coming; and when he at last made his appearance, in a great fright, if the truth had been known, she tremblingly drew her sword, and Sir Andrew in like fear followed her example. Happily for them both, at this moment some officers of the Court came on the scene, and stopped the intended duel. Viola gladly made off with what speed she might, while Sir Toby called after her—
    â€œA very paltry boy, and more a coward than a hare!”
    Now, while these things were happening, Sebastian had escaped all the dangers of the deep, and had landed safely in Illyria, where he determined to make his way to the Duke’s Court. On his way thither he passed Olivia’s house just as Viola had left it in such a hurry, and whom should he meet but Sir Andrew and Sir Toby? Sir Andrew, mistaking Sebastian for the cowardly Cesario, took his courage in both hands, and walking up to him struck him, saying, “There’s for you.”
    â€œWhy, there’s for you; and there, and there!” said Sebastian, hitting back a great deal harder, and again and again, till Sir Toby came to the rescue of his friend. Sebastian, however, tore himself free from Sir Toby’s clutches, and drawing his sword would have fought them both, but that Olivia herself, having heard of the quarrel, came running in, and with many reproaches sent Sir Toby and his friend away. Then turning to Sebastian, whom she too thought to be Cesario, she besought him with many a pretty speech to come into the house with her.
    Sebastian, half dazed and all delighted with her beauty and grace, readily consented, and that very day, so great was Olivia’s haste, they were married before she had discovered that he was not Cesario, or Sebastian was quite certain whether or not he was in a dream.
    Meanwhile Orsino, hearing how ill Cesario sped with Olivia, visited her himself, taking Cesario with him. Olivia met them before her door, and seeing, as she thought, her husband there, reproached him for leaving her, while to the Duke she said that his suit was as fat and wholesome to her as howling after music.
    â€œStill so cruel?” said Orsino.
    â€œStill so constant,” she answered.
    Then Orsino’s anger growing to cruelty, he vowed that, to be revenged on her, he would kill Cesario, whom he knew she loved. “Come, boy,” he said to the page.
    And Viola, following him as he moved away, said, “I, to do you rest, a thousand deaths would die.”
    A great fear took hold on Olivia,