provided no one touches Wright."

"I'm sick of it too," said Eric sullenly.

"Then you two shall shake hands," said Duncan.

For one instant--an instant which he regretted till the end of his
life--Montagu drew himself up and hesitated. He had been deeply
wronged, deeply provoked, and no one could blame him for the momentary
feeling; but Eric had observed the gesture, and his passionate pride
took the alarm. "It's come to this then," he thought; "Montagu doesn't
think me good enough to be shaken hands with."

"Pish!" he said aloud, in a tone of sarcasm; "it may be an awful honour
to shake hands with such an immaculate person as Montagu, but I'm not
proud on the subject," and he turned away.

Montagu's hesitation was but momentary, and without a particle of anger
or indignation he sorrowfully held out his hand. It was too late; that
moment had done the mischief, and it was now Eric's turn coldly to
withdraw.

"You don't think me worthy of your friendship, and what's the good of
grasping hands if we don't do it with cordial hearts?"

Montagu's lip trembled, but he said nothing, and quietly putting on his
coat, motioned back the throng of boys with a sweep of his arm, and left
the room with Duncan.

"Come along, Wright," he said.

"Nay, leave him," said Eric, with a touch of remorse. "Much as you
think me beneath you, I have honour enough to see that no one hurts
him."

The group of boys gradually dispersed, but one or two remained with
Eric, although he was excessively wearied by their observations.

"You didn't fight half like yourself," said Wildney.

"Can't you tell why? I had the wrong side to fight for." And getting
up abruptly, he left the room, to be alone in his study, and bathe his
swollen and aching face.

In a few minutes Vernon joined him, and at the mere sight of him Eric
turned away in shame. That evening with Vernon in the study, after the
dinner at "The Jolly Herring," had revived all his really warm affection
for his little brother; and as he could no longer conceal the line he
took in the school, they had been often together since then; and Eric's
moral obliquity was not so great as to prevent him from feeling--deep
joy at the change for the better in Vernon's character.

"Verny, Verny," he said, as the boy came up and affectionately took his
hand, "it was you that lost me that fight."

"Oh, but, Eric, you were fighting with Montagu. Don't you remember the
days, Eric," he conti