tle, and hesitated
about showing it to Mark. However, that happy youth only laughed, and
produced half a crown, which he begged Daisy to add to her own
contribution.

"That's the sort of Young England I like!" said he. "It will be like a
canter on a breezy moor to come in contact with fresh life and spirit
like this, after wasting my time here for three years."

"I expect you will find it breezy," said Daisy, recovering her smiles.
"Arthur is a dreadful boy; it _will_ be so good for him to have you."

At the end of a fortnight came a summons to Railsford, as one of six
selected candidates, to appear and show himself to the governors. He
had expected thus much of success, but the thought of the other five
rendered him uncomfortable as he leaned back in the railway carriage and
hardened himself for the ordeal before him. Grover had deemed it
prudent not to display any particular interest in his arrival, but he
contrived to pay a flying visit to his hotel that evening.

"There's only one fellow likely to run you close--an Oxford man, first-
class in classics, and a good running-man in his day. I think when they
see you they'll prefer you. They will have the six up in alphabetical
order, so you'll come last. That's a mercy. Take a tip from me, and
don't seem too anxious for the place, it doesn't pay; and keep in with
Ponsford."

"Will he be there? Oh, of course. What sort of men are the governors?"

"Very harmless. They'll want to know your character and your creed, and
that sort of thing, and will leave all the rest to Ponsford."

Next morning at 11.30 Railsford sat with his five fellow-martyrs in the
ante-room of the governors' hall at Grandcourt. They talked to one
another, these six unfortunates, about the weather, about the Midland
Railway, about the picture on the wall. They watched one another as, in
obedience to the summons from within, they disappeared one by one
through the green baize door, and emerged a quarter or half an hour
later with tinged cheeks, and taking up their hats, vanished into the
open-air. Railsford was the only one left to witness the exit of the
fifth candidate. Then the voice from within called, "Come in, Mr
Railsford," and he knew his turn was come. It was less terrible than he
expected. Half a score of middle-aged gentlemen round a table, some
looking at him, some reading his testimonials, and one or two putting
questions. Most of them indulgent to his embarrassment