Sad surprise--indignant risings in his breast against the injustice of his father's conduct, were the consequence, but no invidious feeling against the rival object himself. That one indeed, he would ever have loved and cherished, borne with and forgiven, as in those young days, whilst any evidence of brotherly feeling was given in exchange. But no--it was the favoured one, as we often see to be the case--the rich and favoured one, who began to envy his poorer brother, even the scanty portion which fell to his share. And of what was there in those early days that Eugene could envy Eustace? What but that boon, which though influenced outwardly to despise--his inherent taste for the good and beautiful, caused him secretly to covet, above every other gift--the fervent love which he saw bestowed by his despised, but angelic mother, on the child, whose affection drew it so freely forth--love how ready to be poured as largely on his own head, but for the barrier of slight, coldness, and constraint she saw so soon interposed between herself and that else equally beloved child. Oh! the pain, to mark the glances of that dark, clear eye grow cold and dim, when turned upon her--the once open brow "Cloud with mistrust, and the unfettered lip Curled with the iciness of constant scorn." But all this belongs more properly to a later, and, alas! darker period of the lives of those it is our task to trace, and to which we must hasten forward; that period, in which boyhood merges into manhood, and the seed sown for good or ill springs forth, and bears--some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred-fold. CHAPTER XII. Have I not had to wrestle with my lot? Have I not suffered things to be forgiven? Have I not had my brain sear'd, my heart riven? BYRON. It was Mr. Trevor's good pleasure to bestow the church living in his gift upon his second son. On the same principle, we suppose--as it was the fashion, at that period--more we trust than in the present time--for the least promising and least talented of a family to be devoted to the sacred service of the church--did the father, we conclude, in the present instance select for this purpose the son least esteemed and honoured in his eyes, without any regard to the inclinations of his own heart, or his fitness for that vocation. Eustace Trevor was sent to College, on as small an allowance as could in decency be accorded, and commanded there to prepare himself for Holy Orders. How can we describe the trials, the struggles, the discouragements which beset the path of one who, under more propitious circumstances, might have passed on to such high and distinguished grades of honour and distinction? His noble character and conspicuous talents, drew down upon him the love, admiration, and honour of those around him; yet to some degree the galling hand which had laid heavy on his boyhood oppressed his powers even then. Great and good as was the young man's nature,