“All went on happily in the family of Lord Warbeck until the children grew up to be men. “But from the moment that Lord Warbeck adopted these children, an enemy began to work against the welfare of the boys. “This enemy, Phillip,” said the Red Man to him, “was your great ancestor, and the next of kin to Lord Warbeck. “The lads were supposed by every one to be the real sons of Lord Warbeck. “But Redgill doubted it, although he was unable to prove to the contrary. “If they had died, therefore, Redgill himself would have come into the possession of the Warbeck estate. “It was his constant aim and object to kill these two boys, but old Warbeck had them so well guarded, both night and day, that it was impossible to carry out his deep design. “When they grew up to manhood, this Redgill was about ten years their senior, and went abroad to travel. “But whither he went, or what he did, nobody knew nor cared to know. “It was in the month of June, and on the greenest turf beneath an old oak tree there sat three persons. “Two of the three were the adopted sons, and the third a most lovely maiden, whose parents, when dying, had left her to the care of old Warbeck. “They were conversing most merrily, when the elder one, who was called Edward, said, playfully, “‘You have twined a chaplet for my brother, dearest Leoline; have you not a flower for me?’ “The beautiful maid blushed deeply, and culling from her flowers the freshest of the roses, began to weave them into a chaplet for him. “At this moment a servant came up to them, saying that my lord desired to see Leoline immediately. “The maiden rose, and hastened to the old lord, her guardian, leaving the two young men alone. “For a moment they spoke not, but maintained a dead silence. “Charley braced on his sword, which he had carelessly thrown on the grass; but Ned gathered up the flowers that had been plucked by the fair hands of Leoline. “This action annoyed Charley. “He bit his lip, and changed colour. “At length he said, with a forced laugh, “‘I must confess, brother, that you carry out your affection for our fair cousin, Leoline, to a degree that even relationship cannot warrant.’ “‘True,’ said Ned, calmly, ‘I love her with an affection surpassing that of blood.’ “‘How?’ said Charley, fiercely, with blood mounting to his temples. ‘Do you dare to think of Leoline as a bride, then?’ “‘Dare?’ said Ned, turning pale, and drawing himself up to his greatest height. “‘Yes, I have said the word,’ Charley remarked, boldly. ‘You must know that I also love Leoline. I, too, claim her as my bride, and never, while I can wield a sword, will I surrender my claim to any living rival. Even,’ he added, sinking his voice, ‘though that rival be my own brother.’ “Ned answered not. “His very soul seemed stunned. “He gazed long and wistfully upon Charley. “Then turning his face away, left the spot without uttering a word. “The silence startled Charley.