hich had been distorted by
rumour, and exaggerated by malice into a serious offence.

So when Vyvyan gaily entered his father's house, he felt rather
light-hearted than otherwise. He expected that very likely some party
would be going on, and quite looked forward to an agreeable dance. When
he arrived, however, Vyvyan House was quite silent; a dim light came
from a single window, but that was all.

"Sir Rollo and my mother not at home, I suppose," he said to the plushed
and powdered footman.

"Yes, sir, they're in the library."

He entered; they were sitting on opposite sides of the fire, with a
single lamp between them. They were not doing anything, and Lady Bruce
appeared to have been crying; but neither of them took any notice of his
entrance beyond turning their heads.

"How do you do?" he said, advancing gracefully; but not a little
surprised at so silent and moody a greeting.

"How do you do?" was his father's cold reply.

"Dear me--I quite expected to find a party going on, but you seem quite
gloomy. Is anything the matter?"

"Matter, sir!" exclaimed Sir Rollo, starting up vehemently from his
chair, and angrily pacing the room. "Matter! Upon my word, Vyvyan,
your impudence is sublime."

"You surprise me. What have I done?"

"Done!" retorted his father, with intense scorn. "You have been
expelled from College; you have wasted your whole opportunities of
education; you have thrown away the boundless sums which I have spent in
your interest; you have lived the life of a puppy and a fool, and now
you come back in the uttermost disgrace, with your name involved in I
know not what infamy, and are as cool about it as if you returned to
announce a triumph."

Not deigning a word more, Sir Rollo turned indignantly on his heel and
left Bruce as much astounded by so unexpected a reception as if he had
suddenly trodden on a snake. He relapsed into uncommon sheepishness,
and hardly knew how to address his mother, who sat sobbing in her
armchair.

"My dear mother," he said at last, "what can be the matter that I am met
by such tornados as my welcome on returning?"

"Don't ask me, Vyvyan. Your father is naturally angry at your
expulsion, and you have grieved us both. But, dear Vyvyan, do not put
on such an impertinent and indifferent manner; it annoys Sir Rollo
exceedingly. Do submit yourself, my dear boy, and he will soon recover
his usual suavity."

"But I never saw him like this before."

"No;