Julian bore a strong resemblance to Bertram both in person and
disposition. He was a very fine boy, nearly fourteen years old, and
had been the companion of his brothers from infancy, so that he
often appeared older than his age. All three brothers were bound
together in bonds of more than wonted affection. They not only
shared their sports and studies, but held almost all their
belongings in common. Each lad had his own horse and his own
weapons, whilst Edred had one or two books over which he claimed
absolute possession; but for the rest, they enjoyed all properties
in common, and it had hardly entered into their calculations that
they could ever be separated, save when the idea of making Edred
into a monk came under discussion; and as that would not be done
for some years, it scarcely seemed worth troubling over now.
Perhaps things would turn out differently in the end, and they
would remain together at Chad for the whole of their natural lives.

Nurse never wearied of the tales told by her young masters, and
listened with fond pride to the recital. So eagerly were Bertram
and Julian talking, that they did not heed the sound of the horn at
the gate way which bespoke the arrival of some messenger; but Edred
slipped out to see who could be coming, and presently he returned
with a frown upon his brow.

"There is a messenger at the gate who wears the livery of
Mortimer," he said. "An insolent knave to boot, who flung his
missive in the face of old Ralph, and spurred off with a mocking
laugh. I would I had had my good steed between my knees, and I
would have given the rascal a lesson in manners. I like not these
messengers from Mortimer; they always betide ill will to my