His spirits rose, and his hopes revived in full. Shaking off examination reminiscences, he proposed to De Vayne, Kennedy, and Lillyston a bathe in the Iscam, and then a long run across the country. They started at once, laughing and talking incessantly on every subject, except the Clerkland, which was tabooed. Ten minutes' run brought them to a green bend of the Iscam, where a bathing-shed had been built, and after enjoying the bathe as only the first bathe in a season can be enjoyed, they struck off over the fields towards some neighbouring villages, which De Vayne had often wanted to visit, because their old churches contained some quaint specimens of early architecture. On the way they passed through Barton Wood, and there found some fine specimens of herb Paris, with large bright purple berries resting on its topmost trifoliations, one of which Julian eagerly seized, saying that his sister had long wanted one for her collection of dried plants. "I suppose you want the one you have gathered, De Vayne, for some botanist," said Lillyston. "No--yes--at least I meant it for a lady, too; but it's of no use now," he said stammering. "For a lady--of no use _now_," said Kennedy laughing; "what do you mean?" "Oh, never mind," said Julian, as he noticed De Vayne's blush, and divined that he had meant the plant for Violet, but without knowing how much he was vexed by losing the opportunity of doing something for her. They had a beautiful walk; De Vayne made little sketches of the windows and gargoyles of the village churches, and they all returned in the evening to a dinner which Lillyston had ordered in his own rooms, and which gave the rest an agreeable surprise when they got in. "Julian," whispered De Vayne as they went away, "would you mind my sending that herb Paris to Vi--I beg pardon, to Miss Home, to your sister." "Oh dear, yes, if you like," said Julian carelessly, surprised at the earnestness of his manner about such a trifle. "It's only, you know, because Miss Home had heard that they were to be found near Camford, and asked me to get her one for her herbarium." "Oh, very well, send it by all means. I shouldn't like you to break a promise." "Thank you," said De Vayne; "and I suppose that Miss Home wouldn't mind my sending it in a letter." "Certainly not," said Julian, laughing; "I've no doubt she'll be highly flattered. Here's the plant. Good-night."