whom Julian and
Lillyston were equally charmed, and who soon became their constant
companion. His name was Kennedy, and Julian first got to know him by
sitting next him in lecture-room. His lively remarks, his keen and
vivid sense of the ludicrous, the quick yet kindly notice he took of
men's peculiarities, his ardent appreciation of the books which occupied
their time, and the pleasant, rapid way in which he would dash off a
caricature, soon attracted notice, and he rapidly became popular, both
among undergraduates and dons. He was known, too, by the warm eulogy of
his fellow-Marlbeians, who were never tired of singing his praises among
themselves.

"Splendid!" whispered he to Julian warmly, after Julian had just
finished construing a difficult clause in the Agamemnon, which he had
done with a spirit and fire which even kindled a spark of admiration in
the cold breast of Mr Grayson. "Splendidly done, Home! I say, how
very reserved you are. Here have I been longing to know you for the
last ten days, and we have hardly got beyond a nod to each other yet.
Do come in to tea at my rooms to-night at eight. I want to introduce
you to a friend of mine--Owen of Roslyn school."

"With pleasure," said Julian. "That dark-haired fellow is Owen, is it
not? I hear he's going to do great things!"

"Oh yes! booked for a Fellow and a double-first; so you ought to know
him, you know."

"Silence, gentlemen," said Mr Grayson, turning his stony gaze on
Kennedy, whose bright face instantly assumed a demure expression of deep
attention, while the light of laughter which still danced in his eyes
might have betrayed to a careful observer the fact that the notes on
which he appeared to be so assiduously occupied mainly consisted of
replications of Mr Grayson's placid physiognomy and Roman nose.

"I've brought an umbra with me, Kennedy, in the person of Mr Lillyston,
who sits next to me at lectures, and wanted to be introduced to you,"
said Owen, as he came in to Kennedy's room that evening.

"I'm delighted," said Kennedy. "Mr Lillyston, let me introduce you to
Mr Home."

"We hardly need an introduction, Hugh, at this time of day; do we?" said
Julian, laughing; and the four were soon as much at home as it was
possible for men to be. There was no lack of conversation. I think the
rooms of a Camford undergraduate are about the last place where
conversation ever flags; and when men like Kennedy, Owen, Julian, and
Lillyston meet,