r had in his life.

Tilbury obeyed, and although the combat was not quite so decided as
Arthur had boasted, it disposed of the libel which had originated it,
and made it clear to the house that those who knew best, at any rate,
were now as firmly resolved to defend their master's innocence as last
term they had been to glory in his guilt.

The doctor received the deputation politely, and allowed Ainger to read
the petition and list of names without interruption.

When the ceremony was over, he said, quietly--

"The only fault I have to find with you is that you have presented your
petition to me instead of to Mr Railsford. It is perfectly open for
Mr Railsford to with draw his resignation. In that case it would fall
to me to settle the question of his remaining here; and that would be
the time for you to present your petition."

This was not very consoling; and the doctor's manner discouraged any
further explanation.

Ainger therefore left the petition lying on the table, and withdrew his
men to report the doubtful success of their mission to their comrades.

The week wore on, and in two days Railsford's short reprieve would be
up.

He had already begun to get together some of his things preparatory to
packing up, and had written out a careful paper of memoranda for the use
of his successor. He had allowed the work of the house to be as little
as possible disturbed by the coming event, and had even hurt monsieur's
feelings by the peremptory manner in which he discouraged any
representation being made by the masters with a view to avert his
departure.

He had of course sent a plain, unvarnished account of his position to
his "special correspondent," which happily reached her at the same time
as a highly-coloured and decidedly alarming communication on the same
subject from Miss Daisy's brother.

He received an answer full of courage, which helped him greatly. Yet as
the day drew near he felt himself clinging desperately to his post, and
hoping against hope, even at the eleventh hour, to see some daylight
through his great difficulty.

Had he known that on that very last day but one Mr Bickers had received
by the post a certain letter, he might have felt tempted to delay till
to-morrow the final strapping-up of his portmanteau.

For Mr Bickers's letter was from Branscombe; and was as follows:--

"Sir,--I have been expecting to return to Grandcourt all this term, but
I am sorry to say I have been ill ag