atter
weeks in all the gaieties of a wealthy London family. He was naturally
self-indulgent, and as no one urged him to make good use of his time, he
devoted it to every possible amusement which riches could procure. Both
he and his parents had a boundless belief in his natural abilities, and
these, he thought, would be quite sufficient to gain him such honours as
should be a graceful addition to the public reputation which he intended
to win. A week or two before the Camford term commenced, he engaged
some splendid lodgings, the most expensive which he heard of, and,
turning out the furniture which was usually let with them, gave an
almost unlimited order to a fashionable upholsterer to see them fitted
out with due luxury and taste. When he came up as a freshman, which he
deferred doing until the last possible moment, he was himself amazed to
see how literally his orders had been obeyed. The rooms were refulgent
with splendour: glossy tables, velvet-cushioned chairs, Turkey carpets,
rich curtains, and an abundance of mirrors, made them, as the tradesman
remarked "fit for a lord;" and Bruce took possession, with no little
pride and self-satisfaction at finding himself his own master in so
brilliant an abode.

Meanwhile, the holidays had passed by with Julian very differently, but
very happily. Without tiring himself, or harassing his attention by
study, he made a rule of devoting to work some portion, at least, of
every day. Long strolls with his mother and sister in the bright summer
evenings, bathes and boating excursions with Cyril and Frank, and happy,
lonely rambles on the beach, kept him in health and spirits, and he
looked forward with eager ambition to the arena which he was so soon to
enter.

"The Harton boys have gone back by this time, haven't they?" asked
Violet, as she sat with her mother and brother on the lawn one
afternoon. "Don't you wish you were there again with them, Julian?"

"No," said Julian, "I wouldn't exchange Saint Werner's man even for
Harton boy."

"How soon shall you have to go up to Saint Werner's?" said Mrs Home.

"On October 15th; in about a fortnight's time. I mean to go up a day or
two beforehand to get settled. You and Violet must come with me,
mother."

"But is that usual? Won't you get laughed at as though you were coming
up under female escort?" asked Violet.

"Pooh! you don't suppose I care for that," said Julian, "even supposing
it were likely to be true; besi