crifice. They put their heads together whispering,
nodding, and smiling approval. "Damon and Pythias," "Orestes and
Pylades," were the names bestowed upon the two friends. But at length
courtesy demanded that the audience should give some little attention to
the reading of the Greek thesis, whether they understood a word of it or
not. Their patience was not put to a long test. The reading was a matter
of about fifteen minutes, and at its close the three examiners conversed
together for a few moments.

And then Professor Adams arose and announced the young author of the
thesis which he had just read as the successful competitor for the
highest honors of the school, and requested him to come forward and be
invested with the prize.

"Now it is my time to wish you joy, and to say, 'Go where glory waits
you,' Ishmael!" whispered Walter, pressing his friend's hand and gently
urging him from his seat.

Ishmael yielded to the impulse and the invitation, and went up to the
table. Professor Adams leaned forward, threw the slender gold chain, to
which the watch was attached, around the neck of Ishmael, saying:

"May this well-earned prize be the earnest of future successes even more
brilliant than this."

Ishmael bowed low in acknowledgment of the gold watch and the kind
words, and amid the hearty applause of the company returned to his seat.

The business of the day was now finished, and as it was now growing late
in the afternoon, the assembly broke up. The "public" who had come only
for the examination returned home. The "friends" who had been invited to
the ball repaired first to the dining room to partake of a collation,
and then to chambers which had been assigned them, to change their
dresses for the evening.

CHAPTER XXXI.

ISHMAEL HEARS A SECRET FROM AN ENEMY.

Shame come to Romeo? Blistered be thy tongue
For such a wish! He was not born to shame;
Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit;
For 'tis a throne where honor may be crowned,
Sole monarch of the universal earth!

--_Shakspere_.

In the interval the drawing room was rapidly cleared out and prepared
for dancing. The staging at the upper end, which had been appropriated
to the use of the examining committee, was now occupied by a band of six
negro musicians, headed by the Professor of Odd Jobs. They were seated
all in a row, engaged in tuning their instruments under the instructions
of Morris. The room wore a gay, festive, and inviting a