down the dining-room, hearing from time to time what
was going on, for he had been sent out of his cousin's room by the
doctor. Here he was conscious of the fact that his fellow-pupils all
kept aloof, grouping together and talking in low tones. They were
discussing the affray, he knew, and a word here and there told him that
the causes of the encounter were well to the fore.

Twice over he heard something which made him draw near, but his approach
was followed by a dead silence, and the blood flushed to his temples;
but that was no time for angry remonstrance, and he shrank away.

"They don't know!" he muttered, as he resumed his weary walk up and down
till Andrews, who acted the part of scout, entered the room to
communicate what he had gathered on the stairs.

Richard went to him, but the lad avoided his eyes and turned to his
companions, to whom he whispered a few words, and then went out again to
get more news.

This went on over and over again, with the feeling growing on Richard
that he was to be "sent to Coventry," the two who had witnessed the
encounter having evidently heard a great deal that passed between the
cousins and communicated the words that had fallen at the time.

All this was maddening, but it was overborne by the one dread thought--
Suppose Mark really were dead, what should he do?

The leaden minutes went slowly on, and somehow he gathered that the two
doctors had been performing a crucial operation and one of them had
gone; and, unable to bear the suspense longer, Richard turned to go and
ask for himself, when the door was opened and Jerry appeared, to raise
his hand and beckon to him to come out.

Richard obeyed the sign, and hurried into the hall in the midst of a
profound silence.

"How is he?" whispered the lad, excitedly; and the man shook his head.

"Don't ask me, sir," he cried. "Master wants to see you in the study."

Richard uttered a low, piteous sigh, and everything seemed to swing
round him, while an intense desire came to rash wildly out of the house
and hurry away anywhere--to woods, or out on some vast plain, where he
would be alone to think, if it were possible, and get rid of the violent
throbbing in his brain.

"Oh, I shall go mad!" he muttered.

At that moment Jerry threw open the study door, and, trying to nerve
himself for the encounter, Richard entered, to find the great tutor
standing, with his hands behind him, before the fireless grate.

"How is he, Mr D