bring it here. Will you not believe me?"

"It is very likely that I should believe you, is it not? Well, sir,
this book goes up with you to-morrow to Dr. Wilkinson, and we shall
see how much he will believe of your story. This accounts for your
apparent industry lately." So saying, Mr. Witworth walked off with
the book in his hand, leaving Louis in the greatest distress.

"And all my pains are quite lost!" he exclaimed, as he burst into tears.
"The doctor is sure not to believe me, and there will be--oh, who could
have left it there?"

"Louis, are you coming out this afternoon; what's the matter?"
exclaimed the welcome voice of his brother.

"What, Lady Louisa in tears! Here's the ink bottle; do let me catch the
crystal drops," said Frank Digby, who accompanied Reginald in search of
his brother.

"Oh, Reginald!" exclaimed Louis, regardless of Frank's nonsense, "some
one has left a key to my exercises on my books, and Mr. Witworth has
just found it. What shall I do?"

"_Some one has left_," ejaculated Frank. "That's a good story, Louis;
only one can't quite swallow it, you know. Who would leave it, eh?"

"How? where, Louis?" said Reginald.

"It was just here it was found. I am sure I cannot think who put
it there."

"Well of all the"--began Frank; "my astonishment positively chokes me.
Louis, are you not ashamed of yourself?"

"Oh, Frank! I am speaking the truth; I am, indeed, I am--Reginald,
I am, you know I am."

"It is very strange," remarked Reginald, who was standing with a
clouded, unsatisfied brow, and did not exhibit that enthusiasm
respecting his innocence which Louis expected from him. Reginald
knew too much, and dared not yet be certain when appearances were
so sadly against him.

"Reginald, dear Reginald, tell me," cried Louis, almost frantically;
"surely you believe me?"

"Believe you!" echoed Frank, scornfully; "he knows you too well,
and so do I. Remember last year, Louis: you'd better have thought
of it sooner."

Reginald cast a threatening glance on his cousin, who undauntedly
replied to it.

"You can't gainsay that, at any rate, Reginald."

"Reginald, dear Reginald," cried Louis, with streaming eyes, "you know
I always spoke the truth to you; I declare solemnly that I am speaking
only the truth now."

Reginald looked gloomily at his brother.

"Indeed it is. If you will not believe me, who will?"

"Who, indeed?" said Frank.

"I do believe you, Louis," said Reginald, quickly,