to shut a school-fellow out of a chance of reformation.
Let us put ourselves in his place."

"A very desirable position; rather too much for imagination,"
remarked Trevannion.

"It is a miserable position," said Hamilton; "therefore we should do
well to endeavor to help him out of it. I have no doubt if we had been
once in so painful a situation, we should not have considered ourselves
as hopeless or irremediable characters--nor is he; he is quite overcome
to-night because all have not been quite such savages as he expected."

"As he would have been. He wouldn't have been merciful!"
exclaimed Meredith.

"That's nothing to the purpose," said Hamilton. "We have only to act
rightly ourselves. Give him a chance. If he forfeit it by a similar
offence, I will not say another word for him."

There was a dead silence when Hamilton had finished. His appeal had
the more effect, that he was usually too indolent to trouble himself
much about what did not immediately concern him or his, but took all
as he found it.

"In giving what you call a chance, Hamilton," said Trevannion, who
alone, in the indecision evident, remained entirely unmoved; "in giving
what you call a chance, you forget that we implicate ourselves. As
honorable individuals, as gentlemen, we cannot admit to fellowship one
who has so degraded himself. To be 'hail-fellow-well-met' with him,
were to lower ourselves. We do not prevent his improving himself. When
he has done so, let us talk of receiving him among us again. In my
opinion, Dr. Wilkinson's allowing him to return is as much, and a great
deal more than he could expect."

"I shall say nothing more," said Hamilton. "I do not often make
a request."

"I know what Louis would say," said Salisbury, who had been watching
Louis' earnest, gratified gaze on Hamilton for the last few minutes;
"I think we ought to be guided by him in this matter."

"I! oh, I wish just what Hamilton has said--you know I wished it
long ago."

"What Louis says shall be the law," said Jones. "We won't refuse him
any thing."

"Especially in this matter," said Salisbury. "He's a brick, and so is
his majesty, after all. My best endeavors for your side, Louis."

"And mine," said Jones.

"I'll outwardly forgive the culprit, at any rate," said Frank. Several
others expressed their desire to abide by the same resolution; Hamilton
looked his satisfaction, Trevannion sulkily recommenced his work, and
Louis stole out of the room to fi