sons, Robert and Charles, the eldest at this period some twelve years of
age, the youngest about nine; the usual number of servants, in doors and
out; made up the household. Sir Robert's could hardly he said to be a
very happy household, notwithstanding there seemed to be every element
and requisite to be found there for peaceful domestic happiness; and
perhaps it would have puzzled a casual observer to have ascertained
wherein laid the root of that evil, which, like a poisonous upas, seemed
to spread its branches through the household.

There was a cloud apparently shadowing each face there; there was
constantly some trouble of a domestic character. Sir Robert and Lady
Bramble seemed to be not on the best of terms with each other, and the
servants wore a hang-dog look, as though they expected at any moment to
be called to account for some piece of rascality. There was, however,
one pleasant face in that household, though even that seemed tempered by
sadness; this was the youngest brother, Charles. He was, or rather would
have been, a cheerful, happy boy, but for the malign influence of his
brother Robert, who seemed his opposite in almost everything. Robert was
jealous, irritable and revengeful; Charles was open-hearted, mild and
forgiving. Robert was cruel to both servants and animals; Charles was
kind to all, and a favorite with all; even the dumb animals avoided one
and adhered to the other, instinctively knowing a friend.

Robert was the first born and the favorite with his mother, whom he
ruled literally in all things, while Sir Robert, looking upon him as the
legal heir and representative of his name, of course considered him in a
somewhat different light from that in which he regarded Charles. At
times it seemed as though an evil spirit had taken possession of
Robert's heart, and he delighted in oppressing, domineering over and
abusing his brother, who, though he did not lack for spirit, yet could