to have any."

Louis mechanically assisted in raising the form, and stood silently
by the table. He looked quickly round, and pushing the little share
of his untasted fruit from him, went into the school-room. He did not
recover his spirits again that evening, even when Reginald apologized
to him for his roughness, pleading in excuse the extreme trouble it
gave him to prevent himself from fighting with Salisbury.

As they went up stairs that night, in spite of the cautions given
by the usher to be quiet, a sham scuffle ensued on purpose between
Salisbury and Frank Digby, during which the former let his candle
fall over the bannisters, and they were left in darkness; though,
happily for the comfort of the doctor's dinner party, the second
hall and back staircase arrangement effectually prevented the noise
that ensued from reaching the drawing-room.

"Halloa there--you fellows! Mortimer, ahoa!" cried one of Salisbury's
party; "bring your light."

"You may come and fetch it if you want it," shouted Reginald from
his room.

"We're in the dark," was the reply.

"So much the better," said Reginald: "perhaps you will behave a little
better now; if you want a light you may come and light your candle here."

"Our candle's on the hall floor," said another voice, amidst suppressed
laughter.

"Pick it up, then."

"We're desperately afraid of hobgoblins," cried Frank, rushing into his
room and blowing their candle out.

"What did you do that for, Frank?" asked several indignant voices.

"Because Salisbury and his myrmidons were coming to carry it off by a
_coup de main_--he-he-he--" giggled Frank.

"And so you've given your own head a blow to punish your tooth! well
done," exclaimed another voice at the door.

"Peters, is that you?"

"What's to be done now?"

"How shall we get a light?"

"If you will give me the candle I will get one," said Louis.

Accordingly, the extinguished candle was delivered into his hands, and
he felt his way to the kitchen door, where he obtained a light, and then,
picking up the fallen candle, tried to arrange its shattered form, and
replace it. While thus employed, Ferrers joined him, and offered his aid,
and on Louis' accepting it, said in a low tone,--

"Louis, I am a wretch, I am so very miserable. I can't think how you
can bear so much from one who has never done you any thing but harm."

Louis raised his head from his work in astonishment, and saw that
Ferrers looked as he s