“Well, then, don’t come to me with any more confessions,” returned his companion, jocosely, though there were tears in his eyes. “I declare my blood actually ran cold when I looked into your solemn face and thought, perhaps, you had been sent home from college in disgrace for some unheard of misdemeanor. Still,” he added, more seriously, “I might have known better, for you have been studying too hard to have much time for mischief.” “Indeed I have; and, Uncle August, I am going to gain my year without any difficulty,” the young man said, with shining eyes. “Well, I like to have you smart, only don’t work so hard that you will break down; I’d much prefer to have it take you a year longer to get through than to have you injure your health.” “I shall not; I am as strong as a giant, and now, with this new hope to brighten my life, I believe I could accomplish almost any thing. I want to get through with my course in the next two years, and then I must turn my mind to business, for I have my fortune yet to make, you know.” “Yes, I should advise you to choose something to do when you got through college; it is better for every man to have some business or profession, no matter how much money he may have. I may as well tell you, Geoff, and I do not believe it will do you any harm to know it, that I have made a handsome provision for you, and if you desire to get into something promising by and by, I shall be glad to anticipate my will and help you do it. I have plenty, my boy,” he continued, confidentially, “and if it were not for this habit of business that is on me, like a son of second nature, I might retire and take my ease for the remainder of my life.” “I think you deserve to take your ease,” Geoffrey replied; “you at least might have a few years of travel and sight-seeing.” “I should enjoy that if I could do all my traveling by land. I don’t take to the water very well, and perhaps, by the time you and Gladys are through college, we will all like to run about a little. But,” he added, looking at his watch, “if you’re going on that nine o’clock train you will have to be off, and,” with a sly smile, “since you are absolved from all your sins, you can go with a light heart and an easy conscience.” Geoffrey smiled and flushed. “I think, Uncle August, I can manage to spare another day,” he said, “and if you do not object, I believe I will run over to New York again, and escort Gladys home. She said something about returning to-day.” August Huntress laughed aloud at this change in the young man’s plans. “You do not intend to lose any time in your wooing, I perceive,” he said, then added, more thoughtfully: “As a rule, I should say it was better not to mix love with Latin, Greek, and the sciences; but you and Gladys are so set upon your studies, I imagine it won’t hurt you to season them with a little sentiment. Go along, you rogue, and good luck go with you! However, I imagine you need not tremble very much for your fate.”