'And now comes the worst. Coningsby caught Millbank when he rose, but he
found himself in the midst of the same strong current that had before
nearly swamped Vere. What a lucky thing that he had taken into his head
not to pull to-day! Fresher than Vere, he just managed to land Millbank
and himself. The shouts of Vere called us, and we arrived to find the
bodies of Millbank and Coningsby apparently lifeless, for Millbank was
quite gone, and Coningsby had swooned on landing.'

'If Coningsby had been lost,' said Henry Sydney, 'I never would have shown
my face at Eton again.'

'Can you conceive a position more terrible?' said Buckhurst. 'I declare I
shall never forget it as long as I live. However, there was the Lock House
at hand; and we got blankets and brandy. Coningsby was soon all right; but
Millbank, I can tell you, gave us some trouble. I thought it was all up.
Didn't you, Henry Sydney?'

'The most fishy thing I ever saw,' said Henry Sydney.

'Well, we were fairly frightened here,' said Sedgwick. 'The first report
was, that you had gone, but that seemed without foundation; but Coningsby
was quite given up. Where are they now?'

'They are both at their tutors'. I thought they had better keep quiet.
Vere is with Millbank, and we are going back to Coningsby directly; but we
thought it best to show, finding on our arrival that there were all sorts
of rumours about. I think it will be best to report at once to my tutor,
for he will be sure to hear something.'

'I would if I were you.'