Montagu's hesitation was but momentary, and without a particle of anger or indignation he sorrowfully held out his hand. It was too late; that moment had done the mischief, and it was now Eric's turn coldly to withdraw. "You don't think me worthy of your friendship, and what's the good of grasping hands if we don't do it with cordial hearts?" Montagu's lip trembled, but he said nothing, and quietly putting on his coat, motioned back the throng of boys with a sweep of his arm, and left the room with Duncan. "Come along, Wright," he said. "Nay, leave him," said Eric, with a touch of remorse. "Much as you think me beneath you, I have honour enough to see that no one hurts him." The group of boys gradually dispersed, but one or two remained with Eric, although he was excessively wearied by their observations. "You didn't fight half like yourself," said Wildney. "Can't you tell why? I had the wrong side to fight for." And getting up abruptly, he left the room, to be alone in his study, and bathe his swollen and aching face. In a few minutes Vernon joined him, and at the mere sight of him Eric turned away in shame. That evening with Vernon in the study, after the dinner at "The Jolly Herring," had revived all his really warm affection for his little brother; and as he could no longer conceal the line he took in the school, they had been often together since then; and Eric's moral obliquity was not so great as to prevent him from feeling--deep joy at the change for the better in Vernon's character. "Verny, Verny," he said, as the boy came up and affectionately took his hand, "it was you that lost me that fight." "Oh, but, Eric, you were fighting with Montagu. Don't you remember the days, Eric," he continued, "when we were home-boarders, and how kind Monty used to be to me even then, and how mother liked him, and thought him quite your truest friend, except poor Russell?" "I do indeed. I didn't think then that it would come to this." "I've always been _so_ sorry," said Vernon, "that I joined the fellows in playing him tricks. I can't think how I came to do it, except that I've done such lots of bad things here. But he's forgiven and forgotten that long ago, and is very kind to me now." It was true; but Eric didn't know that half the kindness which Montagu showed to his brother was shown solely for _his_ sake. "Do you know, I've thought of a plan for making you two friends again? I've written to Aunt Trevor to ask him to Fairholm with us next holidays." "Oh, have you? Good Verny! Yes; _there_ we might be friends. Perhaps there," he added, half to himself, "I might be more like what I was in better days." "But it's a long time to look forward to. Easter hasn't come yet," said Vernon. So the two young boys proposed; but God had disposed it otherwise. VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER SEVEN. THE PIGEONS. Et motae ad Lunam trepidabis arundinis umbram. _Juvenal_ x. 21.