’Stop, Owen, do not disgrace yourself or me by going on.  Why do you wish to probe me in a wounded place, where every stab is death?’

Owen looked at his brother, and saw the conflict that was going on in his mind in the working of his features.

’Rowland, I only want your confidence; by Jove you shall have mine, even though you are my successful rival; and I love you so well that I would give her up to you, if it cost me—­let me see—­a voyage to the North Pole.’

’Owen, this is no jesting matter.  I have been a fool, I am ashamed of myself, I am trying to conquer my feelings; leave me until I have succeeded, and then—­’

’But, Rowland, if she loves you, I don’t see why you should try to overcome your feelings.  It would not be quite the right match, certainly; but she would make a better parson’s wife than a sailor’s wife after all; and my father might consent in time, and—­’

‘Owen, is it kind of you to make a jest of me?’ asked Rowland, rising from his chair, and resuming his walk up and down his room.  ’If you had ever really loved either of the many girls you have fancied you adored, you would understand me better; but I deserve it all for my presumption—­my folly.’

’For that much, Rowland, perhaps I love her a trifle better than you do at this very moment; still I am not selfish enough to come between you, and would rather try absence and the northern latitudes; only just be honest.  I’m not quite such a piece of blubber as not to be capable of constancy, though I may have been a rover until now; but when I see a girl walk right away from me, and refuse to wait for me to go home with her, and go straight off to another man, never mind if he was my father, instead of my brother, I don’t mean to break my heart about her.  Besides, I’m disappointed in her, and that’s the truth.  I thought she was as modest as the moon; but I never saw the moon walk out of her straight path to go after another planet, and no girl that I have anything to say to, shall go after another man.  So you’re welcome to her, though I’ll say this, that I never saw the woman yet I loved so well, and believe she’s as good as gold, as pure as that same moon, but as cold as ice itself; at least, so I’ve found her, perhaps you’ve a warmer experience.’

As soon as Owen paused in his rapid speech, Rowland paused in his walk, and putting his hand on Owen’s shoulder, said,—­

’This is a misapprehension, my dear Owen; you and I are thinking of a different person.’

‘I am thinking of Gladys,’ said Owen bluntly, ’and repeat that I love you both too well to come between you and happiness.’

’I am sure of that, Owen, you have no selfishness about you; but I do not love Gladys.  I never thought of her except as a beautiful and superior girl, thrown by Providence amongst us, and to be treated with kindness and consideration.  I only hope my manner to her has never indicated anything else.’