And the good Doctor smiled.

"Well, Doctor, much success to you. Will you not permit me to convey
you to the college?"

The hair upon Sir Asinus's head stood up; then at the Doctor's reply
he breathed freely again. That reply was:

"No, I thank you; your Excellency is very good, but it is only a
step."

And the Doctor rode on with a bow.

Behind him rode Jacques, who had recognised his friend's horse, caught
a glimpse of him through the window, and now regarded him with languid
interest.

The chariot drew up at the gate of the palace. A liveried servant
offered his arm to the Governor; and passing along the walk beneath
the Scotch lindens which lined it, they entered the mansion.

The Governor led the way to his study, passing through two large
apartments ornamented with globe lamps and portraits of the King and
Queen.

Once in his favorite leather chair, his Excellency ordered wine to be
brought, emptied two or three glasses, and then receiving a pipe from
a servant, lit it by means of a coal respectfully held in readiness,
and commenced smoking.

Sir Asinus declined the pipe proffered to him, but applied himself to
the old sherry with great gusto--much to his Excellency's
satisfaction.

"You were near being discovered," said Fauquier, smiling; "then you
would have been made an example."

"_Ex gracia exempli_," said Sir Asinus, emptying his glass, and
translating into the original respectfully.

"Ah, you wild college boys! Now I wager ten to one that you were not
only playing truant at Shadynook, but making love."

"That is perfectly correct, your Excellency."

"See, I was right. You are a wild scamp, Tom. Who's your Dulcinea?"

"I decline answering that question, your Excellency. But my
rival--that is different."

"Well, your rival?"

"The dandified Adonis with the Doctor."

"Your friend, is he not?"

"Bosom friend; but what is the use of having friends, if we can't take
liberties with them?"

"As, courting their sweethearts!" said his Excellency, who seemed to
enjoy this sentiment very much.

"Yes, sir. I always put my friends under contribution. They are not
fit for any thing else. My rule is always to play off my wit on
friends; it coruscates more brilliantly when we know a man's foibles."

"Good--very profound!" said the Governor, laughing; "and I suppose the
present difficulty arises from the fact, that some of these
coruscations, as you call them, played around the person or ch