wanted them he tormented her parallel ruler, or cut the pencils, never
letting his fingers rest except at some high or deep passage, or when
some interesting discussion arose. All were surprised when luncheon
time arrived; Charles held out his hand for the book; it was given with
a slight smile, and he exclaimed' Latin! I thought you were
translating. Is it your own property?'

'Yes.'

'Is it very tough? I would read it, if any one would read it with me.'

'Do you mean me?' said Guy; 'I should like it very much, but you have
seen how little Latin I know.'

'That is the very thing,' said Charles; 'that Ovis of yours was music;
I would have made you a Knight of the Golden Fleece on the spot.
Tutors I could get by shoals, but a fellow-dunce is inestimable.'

'It is a bargain, then,' said Guy; 'if Philip has done with the book
and will lend it to us.'

The luncheon bell rang, and they all adjourned to the dining-room. Mr.
Edmonstone came in when luncheon was nearly over, rejoicing that his
letters were done, but then he looked disconsolately from the window,
and pitied the weather. 'Nothing for it but billiards. People might
say it was nonsense to have a billiard-table in such a house, but for
his part he found there was no getting through a wet day without them.
Philip must beat him as usual, and Guy might have one of the young
ladies to make a fourth.'