ing something to Herapath," replied the innocent; "I'm
sure _I_ didn't make a row."

"Don't tell falsehoods. Do fifty lines, and next time you'll be sent
up."

"That's a nice lark," muttered the baronet as the senior retired. "It
was you chaps made the row, and I get potted for it. But I say," added
he, as if such a mishap were the most common of incidents, "that isn't a
bad joke, is it? Fancy calling Herapath's sister--"

"_Cave_, shut up!" exclaimed Arthur, dealing his friend a ferocious kick
under the table; "they've got their eyes on us. Don't play the fool,
Dig."

Railsford was aroused from the pleasant contemplation of this little
comedy by a general rising, in the midst of which the doctor, followed
by his staff, filed out of the hall into the governor's room adjoining,
which was ordinarily used as a masters' withdrawing-room. Here
Railsford underwent the ordeal of a series of introductions, some of
which gave him pleasure, some disappointment, some misgivings, and one
at least roused his anger.

"Mr Bickers," said Dr Ponsford, "let me introduce Mr Railsford. You
will be neighbours, and ought to be friends."

"I am proud to know Mr Railsford," said Mr Bickers, holding out his
hand; "Grandcourt, I am sure, is fortunate."

Railsford flushed up at the tone in which this greeting was offered; and
touching the proffered hand hurriedly, said, with more point than
prudence--

"I heard of Mr Bickers from my predecessor, Mr Moss."

It was some satisfaction to see Mr Bickers flush in his turn, as he
replied, with a hardly concealed sneer--

"Ah, poor Moss! He was a great flatterer. You must not believe half he
says about his absent friends."

"Railsford," said Grover, taking his friend by the arm, and anxious to
interrupt what promised to be an uncomfortable dialogue, "I must
introduce you to Roe. He had charge of the Shell for some years, and
can give you some hints which will be useful to you. You'll like him."

Railsford did like him. Mr Roe was one of the best masters at
Grandcourt, and his university career had been as brilliant in
athletics, and more brilliant in scholarship, than his younger
colleagues. He had a quiet voice and manly bearing, which bespoke a
vast fund of power latent beneath the surface; and Railsford, for once
in his life, experienced the novel sensation of standing in the presence
of a superior. Mr Roe accepted Mark's apologies for his non-appearance
the evening befor