nd
on the floor, and shouting approval and disapproval of the heads
of their republic of learning, or of the most illustrious
visitors, or cheering with equal vigor, the ladies, Her Majesty's
ministers, or the prize poems.

It is a strange scene certainly, and has probably puzzled many
persons besides young ladies. One can well fancy the astonishment
of the learned foreigner, for instance, when he sees the head of
the University, which he has reverenced at a distance from his
youth up, rise in his robes in solemn convocation to exercise one
of the highest of University functions, and hears his sonorous
Latin periods interrupted by "three cheers for the ladies in pink
bonnets!" or, when some man is introduced for an honorary degree,
whose name may be known throughout the civilized world, and the
Vice-Chancellor, turning to his compeers, inquires, "Placetne
vobis, domini doctores? placetne vobis, magistri?" and he hears
the voice of doctors and masters drowned in contradictory shouts
from the young _demus_ in the gallery, "Who is he?" "Non placet!"
"_Placet_!" "Why does he carry an umbrella?" It is thoroughly
English, and that is just all that need, or indeed can, be said
for it all; but not one in a hundred of us would alter it if we
could, beyond suppressing some of the personalities, which of
late years have gone somewhat too far.

After the Theatre there was sumptuous lunch in All Souls', and
then a fete in St. John's Gardens. Now, at the aforesaid
luncheon, Tom's feelings had been severely tried; in fact, the
little troubles, which, as has been before hinted, are incident
to persons, especially young men in his fortunate predicament,
had here come to a head.

He was separated from his cousin a little way. Being a guest, and
not an important one in the eyes of the All Souls' fellows, he
had to find his level, which was very much below that allotted to
his uncle and cousins. In short, he felt that they were taking
him about, instead of he them--which change of position was in
itself trying; and Mary's conduct fanned his slumbering
discontent into a flame. There she was, sitting between a fellow
of All Souls', who was a collector of pictures and an authority
in fine art matters, and the Indian officer who had been so
recently promoted to the degree of D.C.L. in the Theatre. There
she sat, so absorbed in their conversation that she did not even
hear a remark which he was pleased to address to her.

Whereupon he b