“Accustomed as he was to give full vent to his own passions and anger, he could not comprehend or solve the forbearance of his brother. “He knew that Ned’s nature was too brave and noble to give way to fear. “‘Might it not be contempt?’ he thought. “As this suspicion crossed his mind, he followed his brother, and placing one hand upon his shoulder, said. “‘Where are you going? Do you consent to surrender Leoline?’ “‘Does she love you?’ Ned replied. “His voice quivered with emotion. “Even the hot-headed Charley felt a pang for his brother’s sudden pain, and he did not answer. “‘Does she love you?’ said Ned again, calmly, ‘and have her own lips confessed it?’ “‘I believe that she loves me,’ Charley replied; ‘but she is too modest a maiden to confess it.’ “‘Enough,’ said Ned, as he was about to walk away. “‘Stay,’ said Charley, fiercely. ‘Though she hath not confessed her love, let me tell you this, brother—dare not cross my path in love, if you do, by my soul, and hope of heaven, one of us two must die.’ “‘How little canst thou read the heart of one who truly loves,’ said Ned, with a smile. ‘Think thou I would wed her if she loved thee, brother. Out upon the thought!’ “And Ned walked away, leaving Charley red with rage. “Pale with thought, Edward, the elder brother, took a lonely walk in a retired part of the castle grounds, and, while musing on what had happened, he encountered Leoline alone, and they began to converse together like brother and sister. “‘Let us rest here for a moment, dear Leoline,’ he said; ‘I am sick at heart, and have much to say to you.’ “He spoke these words so solemnly, that the fair girl looked up to him in great surprise. “‘Have I ever offended you?’ she said, tenderly. ‘No, no, you have been too good and kind; forgive me if I have.’ “‘No, Leoline, you have not, you could not offend me. But I have a task, a severe task to perform, and, though it pains me, it must be done. Listen, fair Leoline, listen: once on a time,’ Edward began, ‘there lived among these hills and lakes a certain old lord who had two sons, and an orphan like thyself also dwelt at the cattle with them. The eldest son—but no matter, let us not waste words on _him_. The younger son, then, dearly loved the orphan girl, not for her immense wealth, but for herself alone, and he prayed that his elder brother would urge his suit, for he much feared a refusal. Leoline, my task is done; tell me, tell me truly, dost thou love my brother?’ “Gazing down upon the fair one’s drooping eyes he saw that she trembled violently, and her cheek was suffused with blushes. “‘Say,’ continued Edward, mastering his own feelings, ‘say, Leoline. Tell me, are not they my brother’s flowers you now wear in your breast and hair?’ “Leoline blushed, as she said— “‘Do not deem me ungrateful because I wear not yours also, but——’