articled to a
solicitor. A pretty lawyer he'll make! Have you seen him yet, Tom?"

Tom, during this rattle, had been looking listlessly out of the window.
He now turned round with a start and said--

"Eh? what did you say?"

The look which accompanied the words was so haggard and miserable, that
Charlie's pity was instantly touched. He stepped across the room and
put his arm in Tom's as he stood, and said,--

"Tom, old boy, what's wrong?"

Tom said nothing, but walked away and leaned against the mantelpiece.

"What is it, Tom? Are you ill, or in trouble? You'll tell me, won't
you?"

Tom still remained silent, but his flushing face and restless lips
showed that the appeal had at least been heard.

"Old boy," continued Charlie, venturing again nearer, "we never used to
have secrets. I'm sure something's the matter. Mayn't I know what it
is? Very likely I can't help you; but I could try."

Tom's lips quivered. The old influence was fast coming back. Already
in his mind he was picturing himself telling Charlie all and with his
help extricating himself from the slough into which he had sunk. How
_could_ he stand unmoved with that voice, familiar by many a memory of
simple courageous goodness, again falling on his ear; and that appealing
face, one so loved and delighted in, again turned to his?

"I'm afraid it's something more than ill health, old boy. You've
something on your mind. Oh! why won't you at least tell me what it is?"

Tom could stand it no longer. He _must_ speak. Whatever the confession
cost him, whatever its effect would be on his old schoolfellow's
friendship, Charlie must know all. To him at least he could not play
the hypocrite or the deceiver. He had turned from the mantelpiece, his
hand was held out to take that of his friend's, he was just about to
speak, when the door of his room opened, and there entered Gus,
Mortimer, and two companions.

"Here he is!" cried Gus, not noticing that Tom had company. "Tommy, old
man, you're in luck. Old Owl has got a supper on to-night, no end of
punch, my boy, and he's expecting you; and afterwards we're going for a
regular night of it to the-- Hullo! who's your friend?"

He caught sight of Charlie at this moment, and for an instant failed to
recognise in Tom's companion the boy whom he had treated so shamefully
at Gurley races. But he remembered him in a moment.

"What, surely--yet upon my honour so it is, our young sporting friend.