e of all, except the seat of honor, which his
partial preceptors allowed Prince Edwin to retain.

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