Hath Fulk shown himself other than a loving kinsman?"

The Baroness, who understood her step-son's character better than
did his young sister, and who was informed of the old enmity between
the two houses, felt considerable anxiety as to what they were now
to hear; when Eustace, beginning, "Ah, Lady, I grieve twice in the
day to sadden your heart; yet since so much has been said, it were
best to relate the whole truth," proceeded to tell what had passed
respecting the wardship of young Arthur. Agnes's eyes filled with
burning tears of indignation. "O dear Lady Mother!" cried she, "take
me back to our Convent! How can I meet my brother! How conceal my
anger and my shame!"

"This is far worse than even I feared," said Lady Muriel. "I knew
Fulk to be unscrupulous and grasping, but I did not think him capable
of such foul oppression. For you, my sweet Agnes--would that I could
prevail on him to leave you in the safe arms of the cloister-- but,
alas! I have no right to detain you from a brother's guardianship."

"I dreaded this journey much before," said Agnes; "but now, even my
trust in Fulk is gone; I shall see round me no one in whom to place
confidence. Alas! alas!"

"Nay, fair Agnes," said Eustace, "he will surely be a kind brother
to thee--he cannot be otherwise."

"How love and trust when there is no esteem? Oh, Mother, Mother!
this is loneliness indeed! In that strange, courtly throng, who
will protect and shelter me?"