ooms, except that there was a
looking-glass over the mantel-piece here, by the side of which
the sword hung--instead of in the centre, as it had done while he
had no such luxury. His Windsor chairs occupied each side of the
pleasant window of his sitting-room, and already the taste for
luxuries of which he had so often accused himself to Tom began to
peep out in the shape of one or two fine engravings. Altogether
fortune was smiling on Hardy, and he was making the most of her,
like a wise man, having brought her round by proving that he
could get on without her, and was not going out of the way to
gain her smiles. Several men came at once, even before he had
taken his B. A. degree, to read with him, and others applied to
know whether he would take a reading party in the long vacation.
In short, all things went well with Hardy, and the Oxford world
recognized the fact, and tradesmen and college servants became
obsequious, and began to bow before him, and recognize him as one
of their lords and masters.

It was to Hardy's lodgings that Tom repaired straight-way, when
he left his cousin by blood, and cousin by courtesy, at the end
of the last chapter. For, running over in his mind all his
acquaintance, he at once fixed upon Hardy as the man to accompany
him in escorting the ladies to the Long Walk. Besides being his
own most intimate friend, Hardy was the man whom he would prefer
to all others to introduce to ladies now. "A month ago it might
have been different," Tom thought; "he was such an old guy in his
dress. But he has smartened up, and wears as good a coat as I do,
and looks well enough for anybody, though he never will be much
of a dresser. Then he will be in a bachelor's gown too, which
will look respectable."

"Here you are; that's all right; I'm so glad you're in," he said
as he entered the room. "Now I want you to come to the Long Walk
with me to-night."

"Very well--will you call for me?"

"Yes, and mind you come in your best get-up, old fellow; we shall
have two of the prettiest girls who are up, with us."

"You won't want me then; they will have plenty of escort."

"Not a bit of it. They are deserted by their natural guardian, my
old uncle, who has gone out to dinner. Oh, it's all right; they
are my cousins, more like sisters, and my uncle knows we are
going. In fact it was he who settled that I should take them."

"Yes, but you see I don't know them."

"That doesn't matter, I can't take them bot