to explain a disagreeable fact is not to change it; his name was
written in pitiful subordination. And as for the public assembly--
he would have sacrificed some years of his life to have stepped
forward in facile supremacy, beneath the eyes of those clustered
ladies. Instead of that, they had looked upon his shame; they had
interchanged glances of amusement at each repetition of his defeat;
had murmured comments in their melodious speech; had ended by losing
all interest in him--as intuition apprised him was the wont of
women.

As soon as he had escaped from his uncle, he relapsed into musing
upon the position to which he was condemned when the new session
came round. Again Chilvers would be in the same classes with him,
and, as likely as not, with the same result. In the meantime, they
were both 'going in' for the First B.A.; he had no fear of failure,
but it might easily happen that Chilvers would achieve higher
distinction. With an eye to awards that might be won--substantial
cash-annuities--he was reading for Honours; but it seemed doubtful
whether he could present himself, as the second examination was held
only in London. Chilvers would of course be an Honours candidate. He
would smile--confound him!--at an objection on the score of the
necessary journey to London. Better to refrain altogether than again
to see Chilvers come out ahead. General surprise would naturally be
excited, questions asked on all hands. How would it sound: 'I simply
couldn't afford to go up'--?

At this point of the meditation he had reached his lodgings; he
admitted himself with a latch-key, turned into his murky
sitting-room, and sat down.