“‘And he, Lady Leoline, was the only one whom admiration shone upon without the shadow of envy.
“‘Who, then, would remain inglorious in the hall?
“‘Shall not the banners of his sires reproach him as they have, and shall not every voice strike shame into his soul?’
“‘Right,’ cried Charley, suddenly, and flinging himself at the feet of Lord Warbeck.
“‘Thou hearest what my brother has done, and thine aged eyes weep tears of joy. Shall I be the only one to dishonour thy name with a rusted sword? No! grant me, like my brother, to go forth to France with the heroes of the King’s Court.’
“‘Noble youth,’ cried the harper. ‘Therein speaks the voice of a true Warbeck; hear him, my lord, hear the noble youth.’
“‘The voice of heaven cries aloud in his voice,’ said Charles, solemnly.
“‘My son, I cannot chide thine ardour,’ said the old lord, raising him with trembling hands. ‘But Leoline, thy betrothed, what of her, my son?’
“Pale as a statue, with ears that doubted their sense as they drank in the cruel words of her lover, stood the orphan girl.
“She did not speak.