ut whether I am prepared to do so,
I do not know. I do not know what is required. I have a fair knowledge of
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and of the higher mathematics. I was in course
of preparation to enter one of the German universities, when my good
tutor, Father Antonio, died," replied the youth.

The duke dropped his gray head upon his chest and mused awhile, and then
said:

"I think that you had better read with a private tutor for a while; you
will then soon recover what you may have lost since the death of your
good teacher, and make such further progress as may fit you to go to
Oxford at the next term. What do you think? Let me know your views, young
sir."

"Thanks, your grace; I will read with any tutor you may be pleased to
recommend," respectfully answered the youth.

"You are certainly a most manageable ward," said the guardian, dryly, and
with, perhaps, a shade of distrust in his manner.

The boy bowed.

"Well, since you place yourself so implicitly in my hands, I must justify
your faith as well as your mother's by doing the very best I can for you.
There is a very worthy man, the Vicar of Greencombe, on one of my
estates, down in Sussex, near the sea. He is a ripe scholar, a graduate
of Trinity College, Oxford, and occasionally augments his moderate salary
by preparing youth for college. I will direct my secretary to write to
him this morning to know if he can receive you, and I will let you know
the result in a day or two."

"Thanks, your grace."

"And now how are you going to employ your time while waiting here?"

"By taking a good guide-book, your grace, and going through London. Your
grace will remember that I am a perfect stranger here, and even one of
your great historical monuments, such as Westminster Abbey or the Tower,
has interest enough in it to occupy a student for a week."

"I commend your taste in the occupation you have sketched out for your
time. I must request you, however, to take great care of yourself, and to
be _here_ every day at this hour, as I shall make it a point to look
in upon you."

"Thanks, your grace."

"And now good-day," said the visitor, offering his hand, and then
abruptly leaving the room.

The youth, however, with the most deferential manner, attended him down
stairs and to his carriage, and only took his leave, with a bow, when the
footman closed the door.

Again as soon as his back was turned upon his father, the youth's face
changed and darkened, a