garret, to speak with a visitor. On entering the sitting-room, he
found his mother in company with Miss Cadman and the Misses Lumb,
and from the last-mentioned ladies, who spoke with amiable
alternation, he learnt that they were commissioned by Sir Job
Whitelaw to offer for his acceptance a three-years' studentship at
Whitelaw College. Affected by her son's chagrin, Mrs. Peak had
disclosed the story to her sister, who had repeated it to the Misses
Lumb, who in turn had made it the subject of a letter to Lady
Whitelaw. It was an annual practice with Sir Job to discover some
promising lad whom he could benefit by the payment of his fees for a
longer or shorter period of college study. The hint from Twybridge
came to him just at the suitable time, and, on further inquiry, he
decided to make proffer of this advantage to Godwin Peak. The only
condition was that arrangements should be made by the student's
relatives for his support during the proposed period.

This generosity took away Godwin's breath. The expenditure it
represented was trifling, but from a stranger in Sir Job's position
it had something which recalled to so fervent a mind the poetry of
Medicean patronage. For the moment no faintest doubt gave warning to
his self-respect; he was eager to accept nobly a benefaction nobly
intended.

Miss Cadman, flattered by Sir Job's attention to her nephew, now
came forward with an offer to contribute towards Godwin's
livelihood. Her supplement would eke into adequacy such slender
allowance as the widow's purse could afford. Details were privately
discussed, resolves were taken. Mr. Moxey, when it was made known to
him, without explanation, that Godwin was to be sent to Whitelaw
College, behaved with kindness; he at once released the lad, and