“‘Hush!’ said Ned Warbeck. ‘I am but as thy friend; is not my brother more to thee than simply friend? He is young, brave, and handsome; Heaven grant that he may deserve thee if thou givest him so rich a gift as thy affections.’ “Leoline spoke not, but tear-drops trickled down her cheeks. “‘Wilt thou be his bride then, Leoline? Tell me truly.’ “‘Yes; and, Edward, I will be thy _sister_!’ “He hastily kissed her marble forehead, and plunged into an adjacent thicket to hide his own feelings. “When he had recovered his self-possession, he went in search of his brother. “He found him alone in the wood leaning, with folded arms, against a tree, and gazing on the ground. “Edward felt for his brother’s dejection. “‘Cheer thee, Charley, cheer thee,’ said he; ‘I bring thee most excellent tidings. I have seen and spoken to the divine Leoline. Nay, start not, brother, she loves thee! She is thine!’ “‘Generous, brave-hearted brother,’ said Charley, with a sudden flush of pride upon his brow, and he threw himself upon his brother’s neck, and could have wept, as he said, “‘No, no, brother Edward, this must not be; thou art the elder brother, and hast the best claim to the fair one’s hand. I resign her to you with all my heart; but forgive my angry words this morning.’ “‘Think of the past no more,’ said Edward; ‘the love of Leoline is an excuse for greater offences than thine; and now be kind to her; her nature is soft and keen; _I_ know her well, for _I_ have studied her faintest wish. Thou, Charley, art quick and hasty of ire; but remember a word wounds where love is deep. For my sake, as for hers, think more of her happiness than thy own. Now seek her; she waits to hear from thy own lips the tale that sounded cold upon mine.’ “With these words the two brothers parted, and, once more entering the castle, Edward went into the grand old baronial hall. “The old lord still slept in his easy chair. “Edward put his hand upon the old man’s grey hair, and blessed him. “Then stealing up to his chamber, he braced on his helmet and armour, and, thrice kissing the hilt of his sword, said, with a flushed cheek. “‘Come, good sword; henceforth be _thou_ my only bride.’ “Then, passing unobserved from the castle he mounted his horse, and galloped away towards London. “He safely arrived, and offered his services to the king, who was, at that time, engaged in a heavy war with France. “His behaviour was so noble at court, and so handsome did he appear, that more than one fair maid fell in love with him. “Temptations were many around him. “He was courted and feasted on every hand. “But still he remained true to his purpose, and never forgot his own deep love for Leoline. “After spending some time at Court among the rich and gay, he started for Dover with a great number of troops. “They set sail, and safely landed in France, and, ere many weeks, Ned Warbeck’s name resounded through all the camps both of friend and foe for deeds of chivalry.