"Yet Robert's blood is hot enough.

His deeds are plunged in mystery--his words not less so; yet I cannot look on him as thou dost, as, alas! too many do.

It may be that I love him all too well; that dearer even than Edward, than all the rest, has Robert ever been to me.

He knows it not; for, sixteen years my senior, he has ever held me as a child taking little heed of his wayward course; and yet my heart has throbbed beneath his word, his look, as if he were not what he seemed, but would--but must be something more." "I ever thought thee but a wild enthusiast, gentle Nigel, and this confirms it.

Mystery, aye, such mystery as ever springs from actions at variance with reason, judgment, valor--with all that frames the patriot.
Would that thou wert the representative of thy royal line; wert thou in Earl Robert's place, thus, thus would Alan kneel to thee and hail thee king!" "Peace, peace, thou foolish boy, the crown and sceptre have no charm for me; let me but see my country free, the tyrant humbled, my brother as my trusting spirit whispers he _shall_ be, and Nigel asks no more." "Art thou indeed so modest, gentle Nigel--is thy happiness so distinct from self?
thine eyes tell other tales sometimes, and speak they false, fair sir ?" Timidly, yet irresistibly, the maiden glanced up from her embroidery, but the gaze that met hers caused those bright eyes to fall more quickly than they were raised, and vainly for a few seconds did she endeavor so to steady her hand as to resume her task.