truly happy holidays, and he
looked forward eagerly to the time when he might return to school, and
lift up his head among his companions without a sense of shame, or the
slightest slur attached to his name.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

ETON AND ITS AMUSEMENTS.

Edward Ellis felt very differently to what he had ever before done when
he returned to Grafton Hall. He was one of the first. His particular
friends had not come back, but the other boys, not knowing what had
happened to him, could not help remarking the change. He walked with a
firmer step, he held his head more erect, and seemed altogether a
changed being; yet he was at the same time the like good-tempered, kind,
gentle, generous-minded fellow he had always been. In a few days the
whole school were collected, and Ernest, and Buttar, and Bouldon and
others welcomed him with even more than their usual cordiality. A new
boy also had arrived,--it was said, indeed, several had come, for the
school was rapidly increasing; they had been seen and judged of, but
this one had not made his appearance. At last it was known that he was
an old school-fellow of Barber's and Ellis's. The morning after his
arrival he entered the school-room, holding by the hand of the Doctor,
who led him up to his desk.

"Silence, boys," said the Doctor; "I have to introduce to you a new
pupil of mine, but before he takes his place in the school he has made
it an especial request that he may endeavour to make amends for a great
wrong he was unintentionally the cause of inflicting on one who has for
some time been your school-fellow--Edward Ellis. He will now speak for
himself."

On this Henry Arden, in a clear distinct voice, repeated the account I
have already given of the cause which led to the suspicion that Ellis
had stolen his purse; blaming himself, at the same time, for his own
neglect and stupidity.

"Since then I find," he added, "that the money of which he was possessed
was entrusted to him by a wealthy relative, who had formed the highest
possible opinion of his integrity and judgment, that he might distribute
it as he thought fit among objects of charity. From henceforth I hope
that you will all think as highly of Edward Ellis as those who know him
best do. Three cheers for Edward Ellis!"

Three cheers were given, the Doctor leading, and three hearty cheers
they were, such as the Doctor delighted to hear his boys give on fit
occasions. Ellis tried to get up and speak,