re, I developed a burning desire to consult
my missing handbook, and must needs go in search of it.

Tempest was sitting, miserably enough, before the fire, with his feet on
the fender and his hands up to the back of his head as I entered. It
was not till I was well in the room and had closed the door that he
turned round and saw me.

I thought at first he meant to fly at me, his face clouded so angrily.
But it changed to a look of contempt as he said,--

"Well?"

"Tempest, I'm awfully sorry, really I am, but--"

"Don't let us have any of that. If I thought you'd meant it, I should
precious soon know what to do. You've done me about the worst turn a
fellow could, and if you weren't a conceited young ass it would be some
use thrashing you. As it is, somebody else may do that when I'm gone."

The wretchedness of his tone quite touched me. I forgot my anger and
sense of resentment, and all the old affection and loyalty came back
with a rush. How could I ever have imagined a fellow like Crofter was
worthy to hold a candle to my old Dux?

"Really, Tempest," began I, losing my head and blundering I scarcely
knew whither, "when you saw me talking to Crofter--" He uttered an angry
exclamation.

"There, now, shut up about your friend Crofter. I don't want to hear
about him."

"He's not my friend, Tempest; he's--he's yours."

He wheeled round in his chair and laughed bitterly.

"It's a queer time to joke," said he, with a laugh that cut me through.

"It's no joke, Tempest. You don't know what he's done for you."

"Don't I? I fancy I do."

"About the bills," said I, faltering, "you know."

"Ah I don't come here to tell me about that."

"It was all of his own accord he paid them."

"He what?" shouted Tempest, springing from his chair and facing round.

"Paid them, you know; at least, I paid them for him."

"You? Paid?" and he caught me by the collar and shook me like a puppy.

"You said you knew," gasped I.

"Paid my bills! You say that blackguard had the cheek to--"

"He got me to do it; it was his money, though."

He groaned as if some one had wounded him. A crimson flush of shame and
mortification overspread his face, and for a moment he stared at me
speechless.

Then he pulled himself together and strode out of the room. Utterly
bewildered and half terrified, I followed him. What had I done to
offend him? Had all the trouble of the term turned his head?

To my alarm he made straight