“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.