"From this moment, Mary," he said, speaking with a contracted brow, and in an offended tone, "let your lips be sealed in silence on this subject. What I have done is done, and I do not repent. It was a strong trial, and I suffered in it. But the trial is past. The separation, good for both of us, has taken place. We shall not meet again, I think, for our ways are diverging; if we do meet, it will be as strangers. Good night!" And the young man turned suddenly from his sister and left the room. CHAPTER V. RIGHT AND WRONG PRINCIPLES. EVEN before Hudson succeeded in getting his diploma, Dunbar had come before the court in a case of great importance, and made quite an impression on the public mind. His argument was reported. On the day this report appeared in the newspapers, something brought to his mind his old friend and college companion, whom he had not met for nearly a year. He did not analyse very carefully the feeling that induced him to look in upon Hudson; if he had, he would have discovered something like a desire to exhibit his rising greatness, and cause him to appreciate the contrast between them. He found Hudson engaged in preparing his thesis to be submitted to the professors of the Medical College at an approaching examination of students. "Ah! How are you, my old friend?" he said, in a gay, off-hand manner, as he met Hudson. "I was passing, and thought I would just look in and see if you were yet alive. What are you about? Hav'n't you graduated yet?" "Not yet; but if fortunate, I shall have my diploma in a week or two," returned Hudson. "And then—" "And then I shall see what can be done in the way of making a beginning in the world." "Do you expect to remain in the city?" "I have not yet determined that question. It is probable that I may go South." "More chance there for you, I should think. It is too healthy here. I verily believe there are as many doctors as sick people in this goodly city." "Though not so many lawyers as rogues and scoundrels," returned Dunbar, with a smile; "therefore the more chance for you." "Just it. The fact is, Lloyd," and Dunbar slapped the student upon the shoulder, "if it was not for the sins and iniquities of the people, I don't know what you or I would do. We should make great allowance for them, don't you think so?" "We should do all in our power to lessen the amount of evil and suffering in the world," replied Hudson. "And starve for our pains. If there were no cheating and roguery in the world, what would become of all the lawyers? and if there were no sickness, what would become of the doctors?" "They would find some better employment, I hope. I am not afraid but that I should get along quite as well, if not better, than under the present system of things." "I am very well satisfied as it is. By the way, did you see the report of my argument before the court, in the case of Holton vs. Nix?" "I did." "Well, what do you think of it?" "It was ingenious." "Nothing more?"