half an hour to
spying out your land. Come, lead the way!"

Hoffland wrung his hands with a nettled look, which made him resemble
a child deprived of its plaything.

"But--" he said.

"Come--you pique my curiosity; go on, Charles."

A sudden smile illumined the boy's face.

"Well," he said, "if you insist, so be it."

And he led the way up a staircase which commenced just within the open
door of the house. The lodging of Sir Asinus was in one of those
buildings let out to students; this seemed more private--Hoffland
alone dwelt here.

The student searched his pockets one after the other.

"Oh me!" he cried, "could I have left my key at the college?"

"Careless!" said Mowbray, with a smile.

"I think I am very unfortunate."

"Well, then, my domiciliary visit is rendered impossible. Come,
Charles, another time!"

And Mowbray descended, followed by the triumphant Hoffland, who,
whatever his motive might be, seemed to rejoice in the accident, or
the success of his ruse, whichever the reader pleases.

"Come! I am just going to see Warner Lewis a moment," said Mowbray,
"and then I shall return to the 'Raleigh Tavern,' get my horse, and go
to Roseland----"

"Roseland! Is that your sister's home?"

"Yes, we live there--no one but Lucy and myself; that is to say,
except one single servant reserved from the estate."

"Roseville?" murmured Hoffland; "I think I have passed it."

"Very probably; it is just yonder, beyond the woods--a cottage
embosomed in trees, and with myriads of roses around it, which Lucy
takes great pleasure in cultivating."

"I think I should like to know your sister," said Hoffland.

"Why, nothing is easier: come with me this evening."

"This evening?"

"Why not?"

"How could I?" laughed Hoffland; "your house is so small, that without
some warning I should probably incommode you."

"Oh, not at all--we have a very good room for you. You know in
Virginia we always keep the 'guest's chamber,' however poor we are."

"Hum!" said Hoffland.

"Come!" said Mowbray.

Hoffland began to laugh.

"How could I go?" he asked.

"Why, ride."

"Ride?"

"Certainly."

"In what manner, pray?"

"On horseback," said Mowbray; "I can easily procure you a horse."

Hoffland turned his head aside to conceal his laughter.

"No, I thank you," he said.

"You refuse?"

"Point-blank."

Mowbray looked at him.

"You are a strange person, Charles," he said; "you seem half man, half
child--I