have destroyed for the sake of a passing whim. I have nothing in common with you and such as you; our paths diverge, and the straighter we keep in them the further we shall separate from one another."

"Then good-bye, Robert."

Good-bye, Mr. Hollis,” replied the other stiffly; who was not, perhaps, the least proud of these two young men.

CHAPTER XV.

ROBERT BIRT's existence had been by no means monopolised during this period by mere sentimentalities. He had been fulfilling his duties very accurately, besides diligently improving himself under the auspices of his friend Mr. Candid. That kindly Scot was now instructing him in branches of mathematics far higher than there was any need for him to be conversant with, as a pupil teacher. The Will-o'-the-wisp attraction of Miss Sara Jones being utterly extinguished, the youth was able to follow the pure flame of science with undeviating steps. He was not by any means scatheless, or even heart-whole, but he had applied the hot iron of jealousy to the afflicted part with such determination, that he was in reality, perhaps, safer than if he had never been wounded. He was sorrowful, even to bitterness, about the fate of the young woman, who, in the absence of more attractive swains, and after an ineffectual attempt to recover Robert, had contentedly taken up with the other

male teacher; but interference was, of course, quite out of the question. The pictures of future happiness in which she had formed so prominent a figure did not lose their colours gradually, and fade away, as they would have done had her conduct, perhaps, been a little less outrageous; but were swept at once from his mental retina, leaving a blank to be filled up by totally different objects.

The Government inspector, upon paying his second visit to this district workhouse, spent a few minutes, after his work was done, in the schoolmaster's room. The two men were not unlike in cast of countenance, although totally different in feature. Both were self-educated men, but the inspector had had the advantage of the established methods of education over and above.

"Does young Birt go on as steadily with you as you described at my last visit, Mr. Candid?" "Quite, sir; there is no fault to find with him whatever."

"His knowledge of what is here required of him does you the greatest credit," the schoolmaster bowed slightly, but without suppleness, while the merest shadow of a smile played around his lips— " and moreover," pursued the inspector, "upon examining him in much higher subjects, his mathematical knowledge fairly astonished me, I assure you."

"He is an apt pupil, sir," replied Mr. Candid, modestly; "he has learnt pretty nearly all that I have to teach him."

"He is at this moment, Mr. Candid, in possession of sufficient acquirements to take his degree, and even moderate honours at the university."

"Is it possible, sir?" ejaculated the schoolmaster, with a slight but irrepressible grimace, which made the inspector redden.

"You seem to have a low opinion of what our universities require, sir; the belief is general, and not altogether unfounded, but you are mistaken, believe me. However, I like this boy; if he were sent to my college, St. Boniface, and did but keep steady, his fortune would be made."

"His antecedents would, I fear, be scarcely palatable to his companions," remarked the schoolmaster, coldly.

"You do us wrong, sir," returned the other earnestly, but without heat; "at my college (I do not pretend to answer for others), good scholarship is itself nobility. Insignificant birth is certainly there no bar to an industrious lad. My own father -who was a far better man than I-was a carpenter, but I hold my fellowship notwithstanding, and have come to consider myself, through long impunity, pretty safe from insult.”

66

Carpenters' sons have been great, as well as

wise and good men, before this, who have never gained fellowships at St. Boniface," observed the schoolmaster, quietly.

"I acknowledge my error; I stand reproved," replied the inspector hastily. "I have little pride of my own, though, if I know myself. Pride in my college made me speak as I did, believe me. Sir, there is no place in England, (although we have many faults, foolish faults,) where, upon the whole, learning and virtue are held in such respect as at St. Boniface. Mr. Candid, if you ever come to Camford University, and do me the favour of calling upon me, I shall hope to convince you of this by experience."

The schoolmaster expressed his thanks with heartiness and feeling.

"Now with regard to this boy," continued the inspector, "I am sure that he will be thrown away,

-as I perceive at least one other to have been,-if he remain in his present position. A less clever fellow will do his work here to the full as well as he. Now, will you consent to your pupil's being taken from you and sent up to the University as a sub-sizar? It will be the making of the poor lad, I know."

"The person who has assisted him hitherto, replied Mr. Candid doubtfully, "and who might have helped him in such a matter, has lately died.”