-I don't see him," said each of
the Travers' party, as, mingling with the crowd, they cast their anxious
looks on every side; but amid the bustle of the scene, the hurrying
forms, and the babble of tongues, they felt bewildered and confused.

"Let us try at his chambers," said Frederick; "he will, in all
likelihood, be there soon," and at once they turned their steps towards
the corner of the old square near the library, where Herbert lived his
solitary life; for although nominally linked with a companion--a chum,
in College parlance--he rarely made his appearance within the walls, and
then only for a few days at a time.

When they reached the door, they found it open, and without further
waiting, or any notice of their approach, they entered, but so
noiselessly and quietly withal, that the deep accents of grief--the
heavy sound of broken sobs--struck at once upon their ears. They stopped
and gazed in silence at each other, reading, as it were, their own
heartfelt fears in the face of each.

"Poor fellow," said Kate, as her proud lip trembled with agitation.
"This is a sad beginning."

"Let us go back," whispered Sybella, faintly, and her cheek was pale as
death as she spoke.

"No, no," cried Frederick, hurriedly; "we must cheer him up, what
signifies the whole affair--a piece of mere boyish ambition, that he'll
only laugh at one of these days."

"Not so," said Kate. "The augury of success or failure in the outset of
life is no such trifle as you deem it. If he be faint-hearted, the game
is up with him for ever--if he be made of sterner stuff, as one of his
name and house ought to be, he'll revenge his present fall, by a great
hereafter. Let me see him," and at once disengaging her arm, she walked
forward, and entered the chamber; while Frederick and his sister retired
to the court to await her return.

When Kate O'Donoghue entered the room, Herbert was seated before a
table, on which his head was leaning, with his hands pressed against his
face. At his feet lay his cap, and the books he carried with him from
the Hall. Unconscious of her presence, lost to every thing, save his
overwhelming affliction, the sobs came with a convulsive shudder that
shook his frame, and made the very table rattle, while at intervals
there broke from him a faint moan of heart-rending sorrow.

[Illustration: 284]

"My dear brother," said Kate, placing her arm around his neck. The boy
started and looked up, and prepared as she was t