"Go on, Henry, tell me what books you like best; have you begun to learn Latin yet?" "Oh yes, sir," said Henry, "I've been all through my Latin grammar and the Delectus, and now I'm learning Greek." "So you mean to be a learned man like your father, eh, Master Henry?" "I don't know, sir; but I should like to be a learned man very much." "And I daresay you will, if you study very hard." Lord Rivers glanced at his old tutor as he spoke, and said, "What do you mean to make of this boy, doctor?" "Go into the schoolroom, Henry," said his father, "and ask Mr. Howard to assemble the classes for afternoon school." Henry turned to obey. Lord Rivers detained him a moment. "May I?" he said, holding a sovereign in his hand, which could only be seen by Dr. Halford. "Just a trifle to purchase any books he may choose, and consider them my present." There was a silent acquiescence to this appeal, which Lord Rivers quickly understood. Turning to the boy he placed the sovereign in his hand, saying, "Good-by, Henry; there is something to buy you any books you wish for, and you must call them my present." The child for a moment looked bewildered, then he turned to his father with inquiring eyes. "Thank Lord Rivers for his kind present, Henry," said his father, "and when you have delivered my message to Mr. Howard you can return here." "Thank you, Lord Rivers," said the child; and then with an earnest look in the nobleman's face he asked, "Was papa your tutor once?" "Yes, my boy," said the earl; and as he stooped to kiss the bright, intelligent face, he added, "And now go and deliver papa's message." With a quick movement the boy, turning to his father, placed the sovereign in his hand, and hastily left the room. "What a splendid boy!" was the earl's remark as the door closed on the child. "What do you intend to make of him? he has genius enough for any position." "I hope to send him to the university," replied Dr. Halford, "and if I find he has any predilection that way, I shall encourage him to take orders." "Almost a pity, doctor, to bury such talents in the Church, and limit the young man's income to 100_l._ a year as a curate." "I shall be guided by the boy's own wishes; but if I find he desires to become a clergyman as earnestly as I did, I will not raise a single obstacle in his path." "Well, no," said Lord Rivers, rising as Thomas entered with the information that the horses were at the door. "I can quite understand your wish that your son should not be thwarted in his hopes as you were; and remember one thing--if in the years to come your son Henry should become a clergyman, I have two livings in my gift, one of which shall be his as soon as it becomes vacant after he is ordained." Before the delighted parents could express their warmest thanks for this promise, the little boy made his appearance, and accompanied his father to the gate with the visitor.