is deuced hard, though, to see a fellow like that taking the shine
out of us all," grumbled Alfred.

"No, it isn't! it is glorious, glorious indeed, to see a poor youth like
that struggling up to a higher life--as he is struggling. He won the
prize from me, me, his senior in age and in the school, and my heart
burns with admiration for the boy when I think of it! How severely he
must have striven to have attained such proficiency in these three
years. How hard he must have studied; how much of temptation to idleness
he must have resisted; how much of youthful recreation, and even of
needful rest, he must have constantly denied himself; not once or twice,
but for months and years! Think of it! He has richly earned all the
success he has had. Do not envy him his honors, at least until you have
emulated his heroism," said Walter, with enthusiasm.

"I think I will go home," said Alfred, to whom the praises of his rival
was not the most attractive theme in the world.

"You may return with me to the house now, if you please, since my friend
Ishmael has gone home. Keep out of the way of Miss Merlin, and no one
else will interfere with you," said Walter, who, when not roused to
indignation, had all his father's charity for "miserable" sinners.

Alfred hesitated for a minute, looking towards the house, where the
light windows and pealing music of the drawing room proved an attraction
too strong for his pride to resist. Crestfallen and sheepish, he
nevertheless returned to the scene of festivity, where the young people
were now all engaged in dancing, and where, after a while, they all with
the happy facility of youth forgot his rudeness and drew him into their
sports. All except Claudia, who would have nothing on earth to say to
him, and Beatrice, who, though ignorant of his assault upon Ishmael,
obeyed the delicate instincts of her nature that warned her to avoid
him.

On observing the return of Alfred, Mr. Middleton took the first
opportunity of saying to his son:

"I see that you have brought Burghe back."

"Yes, father; since Ishmael is not here to be pained by his presence, I
thought it better to bring him back; for I remembered your words spoken
of him on a former occasion: 'That kindness will do more to reform such
a nature as his than reprobation could.'"

"Yes--very true! But poor Ishmael! Where is he?"

Aye! where, indeed?

CHAPTER XXXII.

AT HIS MOTHER'S GRAVE.

He sees her lone headstone,