ion, but it was in a voice
so broken, that there was more of sorrow than joy in it.

Charles had not the slightest doubt of his brother's affection, he did not
therefore doubt for a moment the sincerity of his assertion, but he was
persuaded that the idea of his own situation, as being two years older, and
yet likely to remain dependent on his father for some years, was a sensible
mortification to him; and, feeling for his situation, he said--"Ay, my dear
fellow, there is a difference between us _now_, sure enough; but there is
no doubt of your doing well by and by; besides, you are the eldest, and
deserve to be so; I am sure father can never do too much for such a son as
you are, Edmund."

Edmund gazed in astonishment to hear Charles express himself with so much
ease, at a time when he expected his heart must be overpowered with
trouble; his fears lately excited by the agitation and warmth with which
Charles had vindicated Matilda, and the unguarded exclamation of Ellen, who
evidently thought her younger brother the favourite, now took another turn;
he surveyed Charles; he was just twenty-three--a tall, handsome young man,
and one who had ever been admired by the ladies. "Perhaps," said he,
"internally, poor Matilda loves him, but without having her affection
returned: this accounts for the many great offers she has refused, for
the sympathy of Ellen, who knows her heart, and for the vindication she
undoubtedly made to him last night; whereas to _me_ she was cold and
unintelligible."

While these painful thoughts rankled in the mind of the young barrister,
his happy brother was flying all over the house, receiving from the
servants the mixed congratulation of joy in his success and sorrow for his
departure; he had also joined the _coterie_ in the parlour, wrung the hand
of his future brother-in-law, kissed his mother and Ellen, and thanked his
father twenty times for all his generous cares, before Edmund could muster
philosophy enough to join the family, and listen to its arrangements for
the day.

It was at length agreed that Edmund should assist his mother in making up
a package of books, &c., for the traveller, who, accompanied by Belmont,
should visit the city for necessary arrangements; and Mr. Harewood, who
knew that Ellen would naturally wish to see Matilda, agreed to accompany
her thither, being at once desirous to communicate this various
intelligence to Mrs. Hanson, and to witness the effect Charles's depa