oft, full _contralto_
voice, he possessed, in common with his many accomplishments, a refined
ear and almost intuitive power of chiming in melodiously with any thing.
Salisbury was a very respectable bass, as things went; and Reginald, who
was certainly incapacitated for singing treble, declared his intention of
assisting him, being quite confident that his voice would be a desirable
adjunct. The members of the class having at last been decided on, a
subscription was raised, and Hamilton was commissioned to purchase what
was necessary, the first convenient opportunity; and accordingly, the
next half-holiday, he obtained leave for Louis to accompany him, and
set off on his commission. He had scarcely left the school-room when
Trevannion met him, and volunteered to accompany him.

"I shall be very glad of your company," said Hamilton; "I am going to
choose the music. You may stare when I talk of choosing music--it is
well I have so powerful an auxiliary, or I am afraid I should not give
much satisfaction to our committee of taste."

"What powerful auxiliary are you depending on?" said Trevannion;
"I shall be a poor one."

"You--oh, yes!" exclaimed Hamilton; "a very poor one, I suspect.
I was speaking of Louis Mortimer; he is going with me."

"Indeed," said Trevannion, coldly; "you will not want me, then!"

"Why not?" asked Hamilton. "We shall, I assure you, be very glad of
your company."

"So will Hutton and Salisbury," said Trevannion; "and I can endure my
own company when I am not wanted;" as he spoke, he walked away.

Hamilton turned, and looked after his retreating figure, as, drawn up
to its full height, it quickly disappeared in the crowd of boys, who
were chaffering with the old cake-man. His puzzled countenance soon
resumed its accustomed gravity, and with a slight curl of the lip,
he laid his hand on Louis' arm, and drew him on.

"Trevannion is offended," said Louis.

"He's welcome," was the rejoinder.

"But it is on my account, Hamilton," said Louis, anxiously;
"I cannot bear that you should quarrel with him for me."

"I have not quarrelled," said Hamilton, coldly. "If he chooses
to be offended, I can't help it."

"But he is an older friend than I am in two senses--let me go after
him and tell him I am not going. I can go with you another afternoon."

Louis drew his arm away as he spoke, and was starting off, when
Hamilton seized him quite roughly, and exclaimed in an angry tone,
"You shall do no