g to pull regularly, I hope, this term, Drysdale."

"Yes, I think so; it's cheap amusement, and I want a little
training for a change."

"That's all right."

"I've brought down some dresses for our gipsy business, by the
way. I didn't forget that. Is Blake back?"

"I don't know," said Tom; "but we shan't have time before the
races."

"Well afterwards will do; though the days oughtn't to be too
long. I'm all for a little darkness in masquerading."

"There's five o'clock striking. Are you going to dine in hall?"

"No; I shall go to the Mitre, and get a broil."

"Then I'm off. Let's see,--will you come and wine with me next
Thursday?"

"Yes; only send us a card, 'to remind.'"

"All right!" said Tom, and went off to hall, feeling dissatisfied
and uncomfortable about his fast friend, for whom he had a
sincere regard.

After hall, Tom made a short round amongst his acquaintance, and
then, giving himself up to the strongest attraction, returned to
Hardy's rooms, comforting himself with the thought that it really
must be an act of Christian charity to take such a terrible
reader off his books for once in a way, when his conscience
pricked him for intruding on Hardy during his hours of work. He
found Grey there, who was getting up his Roman history, under
Hardy's guidance; and the two were working the pins on the maps
and lists in the Roman corner when Tom arrived. He begged them
not to stop, and very soon was as much interested in what they
were doing as if he also were going into the schools in May; for
Hardy had a way of throwing life into what he was talking about,
and, like many men with strong opinions, and passionate natures,
either carried his hearers off their legs and away with him
altogether, or aroused every spark of combativeness in them. The
latter was the effect which his lecture on the Punic Wars had on
Tom. He made several protests as Hardy went on; but Grey's
anxious looks kept him from going fairly into action, till Hardy
stuck the black pin, which represented Scipio, triumphantly in
the middle of Carthage, and, turning round said, "And now for
some tea, Grey, before you have to turn out."

Tom opened fire while the tea was brewing.

"You couldn't say anything bad enough about aristocracies this
morning, Hardy, and now to-night you are crowing over the success
of the heaviest and cruelest oligarchy that ever lived, and
praising them up to the skies."

"Hullo! here's a breeze!" said Hardy,