an
attitude of deep thought.

The unexpected meeting with Victor Hartman had deprived him of all power
or wish to sleep.

He sat at the window watching the crowd that thronged the village
streets with his outward eyes, but reviewing all the past with his inner
vision. It was long after midnight before he retired.

CHAPTER XVII.

VICTOR MEETS "HIS CHILDREN."

The next morning revealed the full measure of the crowd that filled the
little country town to overflowing. And the road leading from the
village westward to the University was crowded with foot-passengers,
horsemen and carriages of every description.

Those who had no reserved seats set out early, to secure the most
eligible of the unreserved places.

The ceremonies were to commence at twelve noon.

Our party, consisting of Emma Cavendish, Laura Lytton, Electra Coroni,
Mrs. Fanning, Mrs. Wheatfield and Dr. Jones occupied the whole of the
third form from the front.

They were in their places just a few moments before the overture was
played.

The hall was crowded to overflowing. Not only was every form filled, but
chairs had to be set in the space between the audience and the
orchestra, and also in the middle and side aisles, to accommodate ladies
who could not otherwise be seated; while every foot of standing room was
occupied by gentlemen.

Mr. Lyle had given up his seat next to Laura Lytton in favor of a lady,
and had explained to his party that he had a friend from San Francisco
who was present and with whom he could stand up.

And he went away and took up his position in a corner below the
platform, beside Victor Hartman, but entirely out of the range of his
party's vision.

I will not weary my readers with any detailed account of this
Commencement, which resembled all other college commencements in being
most interesting to those most concerned.

There was an overture from a new opera.

Then there was an opening oration by one of the learned professors of
the University, which was voted by the savants to be a masterpiece of
erudition and eloquence, but which the young people present found
intolerably dull and stupid. And when the great man sat down a storm of
applause followed him.

Then ensued the usual alternation of opera music and orations.

And the young people listened to the opera music, and yawned behind
their fans over the orations.

And the savants gave heed to the orations, and closed their senses, if
not their ear