hed
again--possibly from the thought that had he followed the last piece
of advice, his mind had not been troubled--and so bade his young
friend farewell, and mounted the staircase leading to the chamber of
his friend.

As for the young girl, she followed him for a moment with her eyes,
and then laughing merrily continued her way, swinging her satchel and
humming an old ditty. We shall meet with her again.

CHAPTER VIII.

HOW SIR ASINUS INVENTED A NEW ORDER OF PHILOSOPHERS, THE APICIANS.

Sir Asinus was clad as usual in a rich suit of silk, over which fell
in graceful folds his old faded dressing gown. His red hair was
unpowdered--his garters were unbuckled, and one of them had fallen to
the floor--his feet were lazily thrust into ample slippers run down
deplorably at the heel.

He had been meditating strictly the unwilling muse; for on the table
lay a number of sheets of paper covered with unfortunate verses, which
obstinately refused to rhyme. He seemed to have finally abandoned this
occupation in despair--flying for refuge to his window, from which he
had seen his friend coming down Gloucester street.

When Jacques entered, he retained his seat with an appearance of great
carelessness, and extending two fingers negligently, drawled out:

"Good day, my boy. You perceive I have banished those ignoble fears of
proctors. I no longer shiver when I hear a footstep on the staircase."

Jacques smiled languidly.

"Only when you hear it on the portico--at Shadynook or elsewhere," he
said.

"No more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me," said Sir Asinus cheerfully.
"The greatest men are subject to these sudden panics, and I am no
exception. Ah! what news?"

Jacques sat down sighing.

"None," he said, "except that we have a new student at
college--Hoffland is his name, I believe--a friend of Mowbray's
apparently. Let's see your bad verses."

"No, no!" cried Sir Asinus, rolling them up. "_Minerva was invited_,
as our friend Page used to say, but did not attend."

"That reminds me of the ball."

"At the 'Raleigh?'"

"Yes," sighed Jacques.

"This week, eh?"

"Yes; and every body is discussing it. It will be held in the
_Apollo_----"

"A capital room."

"For a ball--yes."

"For any thing--a meeting of conspirators, or patriots, which might
amount to the same thing," said Sir Asinus.

"Well, will your knightship attend the ball?"

"Of course."

"Pray, with whom!"

"Belle-bouche."

Jacques smi