d my hesitation, and did not conceal from me that I had
disappointed him.

"I have it very much at heart," he said, "to repair without delay the
time that I have lost. My age is against me, I know. The truth is--I
have wasted my opportunities since I left school, and I am anxious,
honestly anxious, to mend my ways, before it is too late. I wish to
prepare myself for one of the Universities--I wish to show, if I can,
that I am not quite unworthy to inherit my father's famous name. You are
the man to help me, if I can only persuade you to do it. I was struck by
your sermon yesterday; and, if I may venture to make the confession in
your presence, I took a strong liking to you. Will you see my father,
before you decide to say No? He will be able to explain whatever may
seem strange in my present application; and he will be happy to see you
this afternoon, if you can spare the time. As to the question of terms,
I am quite sure it can be settled to your entire satisfaction."

He was evidently in earnest--gravely, vehemently in earnest. I
unwillingly consented to see his father.

Our interview was a long one. All my questions were answered fully and
frankly.

The young man had led an idle and desultory life. He was weary of it,
and ashamed of it. His disposition was a peculiar one. He stood sorely
in need of a guide, a teacher, and a friend, in whom he was disposed
to confide. If I disappointed the hopes which he had centered in me, he
would be discouraged, and he would relapse into the aimless and indolent
existence of which he was now ashamed. Any terms for which I might
stipulate were at my disposal if I would consent to receive him, for
three months to begin with, on trial.

Still hesitating, I consulted my father and my friends.

They were all of opinion (and justly of opinion so far) that the new
connection would be an excellent one for me. They all reproached me for
taking a purely capricious dislike to a well-born and well-bred young
man, and for permitting it to influence me, at the outset of my career,
against my own interests. Pressed by these considerations, I allowed
myself to be persuaded to give the new pupil a fair trial. He
accompanied me, the next day, on my way back to the rectory.

VII.

LET me be careful to do justice to a man whom I personally disliked. My
senior pupil began well: he produced a decidedly favorable impression on
the persons attached to my little household.

The women, especially