ading men of his year were now anxiously occupied in working
for the Saint Werner's scholarships. They were the blue ribbon of the
place. In value they were not much more than 50 pounds a year, but as
the scholars had an honourable distinctive seat both in hall and chapel,
and as from _their_ ranks alone the Fellows were selected, all the most
intelligent and earnest men used their best efforts to obtain them on
the earliest possible occasion. At the scholars' table were generally
to be found the most distinguished among the alumni of Saint Werner's.

Julian still moved chiefly among his old friends, although he had a
large acquaintance, and by no means confined himself to the society of
particular classes. But De Vayne's illness made a sad gap in the circle
of his most intimate associates, and he was not yet sufficiently
recovered to attempt a correspondence. Among the dons, Julian began to
like Mr Admer more and more, and found that his cynicism of manner was
but the result of disappointed ambition and unsteady aims, while his
heart was sound and right.

Kennedy, as well as Julian, had always hoped to gain a scholarship at
his first trial, but now, with only one term left him to read in, his
chance seemed to fade away to nothing. Poor fellow, he had returned
with the strongest possible intention of working, and of abandoning at
once and for ever all objectionable acquaintances and all dangerous
ways. Hourly the sweet face of Violet looked in upon his silent
thoughts, and filled him with shame as he thought of lost opportunities
and wasted hours.

"Kennedy," said Mr Admer, "how can you be so intolerably idle? I saw
some of your Christmas papers, and they were wholly unworthy of your
abilities."

"I know it well. But what could you expect? The Pindar I had read once
over with a crib; the morality I had not looked at; the mathematics I
did not touch."

"But what excuse have you? I really feel quite angry with you. You are
wholly throwing away everything. What have you to show for your time
and money? Only think, my dear fellow, that an opportunity like this
comes only once in life, and soon your college days will be over with
nothing to remember."

"True, too true."

"Well, I am glad that you see and own it. I began to fear that you were
one of that contemptible would-be fine gentleman class that affects
forsooth to despise work as a thing unworthy of their eminence."

"No, Mr Admer," said Kenned