“‘To what end,’ thought he, ‘have these strong affections, these capacities of love, this yearning after sympathy, been given me? Unloved and unknown, I walk to my grave, and all the nobler mysteries of my heart are for ever to be untold.’
“Thus musing, he heard not the challenge of the warder on the wall, or the unbarring of the gate below, or the tread of footsteps along the winding stair.
“The door was thrown suddenly open, and Sir Charles stood before him.
“‘Come,’ he said, in a low voice, trembling with passion, ‘come, I will show thee that which shall gladden thy heart. Twofold is Leoline avenged.’
“Lord Edward Warbeck looked in amazement on a brother he had not met since they stood in arms each against the other’s life.
“And he now saw that the arm that Sir Charles extended to him dripped with blood, trickling drop by drop upon the floor.
“‘Come,’ said Sir Charles, ‘follow me! It is my last prayer. Come, for Leoline’s sake, come.’
“At that name, Lord Edward Warbeck hesitated no longer; he girded on his sword, and followed his brother down the stairs, and through the castle gate.’
“The porter scarcely believed his eyes when he saw the two brothers, so long divided, go forth at that hour alone, and seemingly in friendship.
“Lord Warbeck, arrived at that epoch in the feelings when nothing stuns, followed with silent steps the rapid strides of his brother.