Prince Edwin loved Wilfrid, and took real pleasure in witnessing his repeated triumphs over those who regarded him with such unkindly feelings.  But Prince Edwin himself was proud and capricious—­his naturally frank and noble disposition having been spoiled by the adulation of those about him; and Wilfrid was, perhaps, more than any other person, exposed to suffer from his occasional fits of passion.  Yet Wilfrid was the only person who ventured to represent to him the folly and impropriety of conduct so unbecoming in any one, but peculiarly unwise in a prince, who, on account of his elevated rank, and the respect with which he was treated, is required to practice universal courtesy, and to avoid, if possible, giving offence to any one.

Prince Edwin, though often piqued at the plain dealing of his page, knew how to value his sincerity and attachment.  However he might at times give way to petulance toward him, he treated him, on the whole, with greater consideration, and paid more attention to his opinions than to those of any other person.  The regard of Prince Edwin for his page was, however, soon observed with jealous displeasure by one of the royal wards, named Brithric, who was older by two or three years than any of the other young companions of the prince.

CHAPTER II.

Brithric was a youth of a specious and deceitful character:  it was his practice to dissemble his real sentiments, and to recommend himself by flattering speeches to the favor of his superiors.  By constantly addressing Prince Edwin in the language of adulation, he succeeded in rendering his company very agreeable to him; for the prince’s besetting sin was vanity, and the artful Brithric was only too well skilled in perceiving and taking advantage of the weak points of others.

Wilfrid beheld this growing intimacy with pain; nor did he attempt to conceal his uneasiness whenever the prince spoke to him on the subject of his evident dislike of the society of Brithric.  “I do not respect Brithric, my lord,” replied Wilfrid; “and where esteem is wanting, there can be no true grounds for forming friendships.”

“And what are your reasons, Wilfrid, for denying your esteem to Brithric?” said the prince.  “He is obliging, and often says very agreeable things to you.”

“It costs more to win my esteem than a few unmeaning compliments, which Brithric is accustomed to pay to every one with whom he is desirous of carrying his point,” said Wilfrid.

“And what should Brithric, who is the heir of the richest thane in my brother’s court, want to gain of a poor, landless orphan who owes his sustenance and education to the compassion of King Athelstane?” retorted the prince, angrily.

The pale cheek of Wilfrid flushed with unwonted crimson at this unexpected taunt from the lips of his young lord.  It was with difficulty that he restrained the tears which filled his eyes from overflowing, but turning meekly away, he said—­