Williams, rests with _you_; but
remember it is a ten-thousandfold heavier and more accursed crime to set
stumbling-blocks in the way of others, and abuse your influence to cause
any of Christ's little ones to perish."

"I wasn't the tempter, however," thought Eric, still silent;--it was the
silence of pride and unwilling conviction.

"Well, you seem hardened, and give no sign. Believe me, Williams, I
grieve for you, and that bitterly. My interest in you is no less warm,
though my affection for you cannot be the same. You may go."

"Another friend alienated, and oh, how true a one! He has not asked me
to see him once this term," thought Eric sadly; but a shout of pleasure
greeted him directly he joined the football in the playground, and half
consoled, he hoped Mr Rose had heard it, and understood that it was
meant for the boy whom he had just been rebuking. "Well, after all," he
thought, "I have _some_ friends still."

Yes, friends, such as they were! Except Duncan, hardly one boy whom he
really respected ever walked with him now. Even little Wright, one of
the very few lower boys who had risen superior to Brigson's temptations,
seemed to keep clear of him as much as he could: and in absolute
vacuity, he was obliged to associate with fellows like Attlay, and
Graham, and Llewellyn, and Ball.

Even with Ball! All Eric's repugnance for this boy seemed to have
evaporated; they were often together, and, to all appearance, were sworn
friends.

Eric did not shrink now from such conversation as was pursued unchecked
in his presence by nearly every one; nay, worse, it had lost its horror,
and he was neither afraid nor ashamed to join in it himself. This
plague-spot had fretted more deeply than any other into the heart of the
school morality, and the least boys seemed the greatest proficients in
unbaring, without a blush, its hideous ugliness.

VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER THREE.

"THE JOLLY HERRING."

Velut unda supervenit undam.--_Horace_.

"The Anti-muffs request the honour of Eric Williams's company to a
spread they are going to have to-morrow evening at half-past four, in
their smoking-room."

A note to this effect was put into Eric's hands with much _empressement_
by after prayers. He read it when he got into his study, and hardly
knew whether to be pleased or disgusted at it.

He tossed it to Duncan, and said, "What shall I do?"

Duncan turned up his nose, and chucked the note into the fire.

"I'd