gentleman's carefulness and propriety of appearance from that lad in two
months than he had done in years from all my lectures. I recollect one
day, when the two boys were in full romp--and, my window being open, I
could hear them perfectly--and Urian was daring Clement to some
scrambling or climbing, which Clement refused to undertake, but in a
hesitating way, as though he longed to do it if some reason had not stood
in the way; and at times, Urian, who was hasty and thoughtless, poor
fellow, told Clement that he was afraid. 'Fear!' said the French boy,
drawing himself up; 'you do not know what you say. If you will be here
at six to-morrow morning, when it is only just light, I will take that
starling's nest on the top of yonder chimney.' 'But why not now,
Clement?' said Urian, putting his arm round Clement's neck. 'Why then,
and not now, just when we are in the humour for it?' 'Because we De
Crequys are poor, and my mother cannot afford me another suit of clothes
this year, and yonder stone carving is all jagged, and would tear my coat
and breeches. Now, to-morrow morning I could go up with nothing on but
an old shirt.'

"'But you would tear your legs.'

"'My race do not care for pain,' said the boy, drawing himself from
Urian's arm, and walking a few steps away, with a becoming pride and
reserve; for he was hurt at being spoken to as if he were afraid, and
annoyed at having to confess the true reason for declining the feat. But
Urian was not to be thus baffled. He went up to Clement, and put his arm
once more about his neck, and I could see the two lads as they walked
down the terrace away from the hotel windows: first Urian spoke eagerly,
looking with imploring fondness into Clement's face, which sought the
ground, till at last the French boy spoke, and by-and-by his arm was
round Urian too, and they paced backwards and forwards in deep talk, but