t him
to reason;' and he said, 'Well, I am very glad you see things in a truer
light this morning;' then asked if he had breakfasted. He had; and his
cousin added,

'Have you anything to say on the matter we discussed last night?'

'No. I can only repeat that I am not guilty, and wait for time to show
my innocence. I only came to see you once more, that I might feel we
parted friends.'

'I shall always hope to be a true friend.'

'I did not come here for altercation,' said Guy (an answer rather to the
spirit than the words), 'so I will say no more. If you wish to see me
again, you will find me in my rooms. Good-bye.'

Philip was puzzled. He wondered whether Guy had come wishing to
propitiate him, but had found pride indomitable at the last moment; or
whether he had been showing himself too severely just to admit entreaty.
He would be able to judge better after he had made his inquiries, and he
proceeded with them at once. He met with no such replies as he expected.
Every one spoke of Sir Guy Morville in high terms, as strict in his
habits of application, and irreproachable in conduct. He was generally
liked, and some regret was expressed that he lived in so secluded
a manner, forming so few intimacies; but no one seemed to think it
possible that anything wrong could be imputed to him. Philip could even
perceive that there was some surprise that such inquiries should be
made at all, especially by so young a man as himself. Mr. Wellwood, the
person whom he most wished to see, was not at Oxford, but was at home
preparing for his ordination.

Nor could Philip get nearer to the solution of the mystery when he went
to the tradesmen, who were evidently as much surprised as the tutors,
and said he always paid in ready money. Captain Morville felt like a
lawyer whose case is breaking down, no discoveries made, nothing done;
but he was not one whit convinced of his cousin's innocence, thinking
the college authorities blind and careless, and the tradesmen combined
to conceal their extortions, or else that the mischief had been done
at St. Mildred's. He was particularly provoked when he remembered Guy's
invitation to him to come to his rooms, knowing, as he must have done,
what would be the result of his inquiry.

Philip was conscious that it would have been kind to have gone to say
that, so far, he had found nothing amiss, but he did not like giving Guy
this passing triumph. It made no difference in his real opinion; and