CHAPTER II.

PRINCE HENRY.


Prince Henry sat quiet and motionless in his lonely room; dark
thoughts seemed to trouble him; his brow was clouded, his lips
compressed. Had you not known him, you would have taken him for the
king, so great was the resemblance of the two brothers; but it was
only an outward resemblance. The prince had not the spiritual
expression, his eyes had not the passionate fire, his face
(beautiful as it was) wanted the fascinating geniality, the
sparkling inspiration, that at all times lighted the king's
countenance like a sunbeam.

The prince possessed a greater mind, a clearer understanding, but he
wanted soul and poetic feeling, and allowed himself at times to
ridicule his brother's poetic efforts. The king, knowing this, was
inclined to regard the shortcomings of the prince as a determined
contempt and resistance to his command; and as the prince became
more reckless and more indifferent, he became more severe and harsh.
Thus the struggle commenced that had existed for some time between
the two brothers.

For the last four days the prince had been in arrest for disobeying
orders, but the hour of his release was approaching, and he awaited
it with impatience.