holidays and kept dark till
now.

This, of course, settled the contest in favour of the president of the
Den, and so much enthusiasm prevailed over the discovery, that a Den
levee was immediately proposed.

The idea took, and, after much debate, it was resolved that the
honourable and original fraternity should take possession of the lower
end of Hall on the captain's night, and, after doing duty at the top
end, repair to the bottom, there to display their loyalty to their own
particular "swallow." Due announcement was made to this effect, and
Rule 5 carefully rehearsed in the ears of all waverers.

The evening came at last. Pontifex, surrounded by the Sixth, rambled up
on to the dais and waited good-humouredly for the show to begin, quite
regardless of his own imposing appearance and of the awe which the array
of senior shirt-fronts struck into the hearts of the new juniors who
looked on.

In solemn order Templeton ascended the dais and rendered homage. With
the Fifth the captain was affable, and with the Upper Fourth he
exchanged a few jocular courtesies. With the Middle school he contented
himself with a shake of the hand and a "How are you, Wright?"

"Ah, Troup, old man," and such-like greetings. Boys he had punished
yesterday he received quite as warmly now as the most immaculate of the
virtuous ones, and boys who had cheeked him two hours ago in the fields
he shook hands with as cordially as he did with the most loyal of his
adherents.

There was a pause as the last of the Middle school descended from the
dais, and the Den, headed by the resplendent Culver, advanced.
Templeton tried to look grave and remember its good manners, but it was
an effort under such an array of glory. Culver himself, with his
borrowed coat so tight under the arms that he could not keep his elbows
down, and his waistcoat pinned back so far that the empty button-hole in
his front quite put the studded ones to shame, might have passed in a
crowd; but Gosse, with his hair parted in the middle and his "whisker"
elaborately curled; Pauncefote, with his light blue silk handkerchief
protruding half out of his waistcoat pocket; and Smith, with the cuffs
that hid the tips of his fingers, were beyond gravity, and a suppressed
titter followed the grandees up the hall and on to the platform.

Pontifex received them all with serene affability and good breeding.

"Hullo, youngster!" said he to Culver, not even bestowing a glance on
his