to think by what small services I could render myself
acceptable to my young master. I arranged the scanty furniture into a
resemblance, faint enough, certainly, to comfort, and made a cheerful
fire with the remnant of the roomy coal-box. This done, I proceeded to
put his clothes in order, and actually astonished myself with the skill
I seemed to possess in my new walk. An intense curiosity to know what
was going on without led me frequently to the door which led into the
court; but I profited little by this step. The only figures which met my
eye were now and then some elderly personage clad in his academic robes,
gravely wending towards the "Hall," and the far less imposing cries
of some "college women," as the hags are called who officiate as the
University housemaids.

It was at one of these visits that suddenly I heard the great door
of the "Hall" burst open with a crash, and immediately down the
steps poured the black tide of figures, talking and laughing in
one multifarious din that seemed to fill the very air. Cautiously
withdrawing, I closed the door, and retired; but scarcely had I reached
my room, when young Lyndsay passed through to his own chamber: his cheek
was flushed, and his eyes sparkled with animation, and his whole air and
gesture indicated great excitement.

Having removed his cravat, and bathed his temples with cold water, he
once more sat down before his books, and was soon so immersed in study
as not to hear my footsteps as I entered.

I stood uncertain, and did not dare to interrupt him for some minutes;
the very intensity of his application awed me. Indeed, I believe I
should have retired without a word, had he not accidentally looked
up and beheld me. "Eh!--what!--how is this?" cried he, endeavoring to
recall his mind from the themes before him; "I had forgotten you, my
poor boy, and you have had no breakfast."

"And you, sir?" said I, in reality more interested for him than myself.

"Take this, Con," said he, not heeding my remark, and giving me a piece
of silver from his purse; "get yourself something to eat: to-morrow, or
next day, we shall arrange these things better; for at this moment my
head has its load of other cares."

"But will _you_ not eat something?" said I; "_you_ have not tasted food
since we met."

"We are expected to breakfast with our tutor on the examination
mornings, Con," said he; and then, not seeming to feel the inconsistency
of his acts with his words, he again