Without any premeditated agreement the brothers rivalled each other in attentions to Laurence, with a sense of pleasure in so doing which appeared to suffice them.

The relation between themselves and Laurence was just as fraternal as that between themselves.

What could be more natural?
After so long an absence they felt the necessity of studying her, of knowing her well and letting her know them, leaving to her the right of choice.

They were sustained in this first trial by the mutual affection which made their double life one and the same life.
Love, like their own mother, was unable to distinguish between the brothers.

Laurence was obliged (in order to know them apart and make no mistakes) to give them different cravats--to the elder a white one, to the younger black.