l had not yet begun to ring, he put out his cap
and surplice, and sat down to drink more wine.

Just as the clock struck six, Lillyston knocked at Julian's door.

"Aha! old fellow," said Julian, "you are just in time to have a glass of
wine before chapel."

"No, thank you," said Lillyston coldly, sick at heart to see a fresh
proof of his friend's unworthy excitement, but without realising as yet
his true condition.

"Tush! you think I care about that trumpery Clerkland? Not I! Won't
you have some wine?--no? well, I shall, and then I'm going to chapel."

His flushed countenance, and excited manner, joined to the harsh tones
of his generally pleasant and musical voice, produced on Lillyston's
mind a feeling of deep pain and shame, and when with unsteady hand,
Julian endeavoured to pour out for himself a fresh glass, and in doing
so spilt the wine in great streams over the table, Lillyston saw that he
was in an utterly unfit state to go to chapel, and that the attempt to
do so would certainly draw upon him exposure and disgrace.

"Julian," he said gently; "you are not in a condition to go to chapel;
you must not think of it."

"What do you mean?" said Julian with a stupid stare.

"I mean," he replied slowly, "that the wine has got into your head."

A laugh, half hysterical, half defiant, was the only answer, and Julian
began to put on his surplice, wrong side out.

"Julian, I beg of you to stay here as you would avoid ruin."

"Pooh! I am not a child, as you seem to think. You are--Yes, you are a
fool, Lillyston."

Pained to the very heart, Lillyston wavered for a moment, but a glance
at Julian decided him. Five years of happy uninterrupted friendship,
five years during which he had regarded his friend's stainless character
with ever-growing pride and affection, determined him at all hazards to
save him from the effects of this temporary possession. Firmly, but
quietly, he planted his back against the door, and said--

"Dear Julian, I beseech you not to go."

The tone of voice, the mention of his own name recalled Julian for a
moment, but the sound of the chapel-bell renewed his determination, and
he answered, "Nonsense. Come, make room."

"You _shall not go_, Julian."

"But I will," shouted he angrily; "how dare you prevent me; stand
aside."

Lillyston did not stir, and rendered furious by opposition, Julian
grappled with him. It required all Lillyston's strength to retain his
position against