Arthur Bell was a young man of excellent qualities; and generally respected by all who knew him. He had received his education, which was of a superior order, at one of the Oxford colleges. Nevertheless, he was modest and unassuming; shunning any display of his learning, excepting under circumstances which justified him from vanity and self-importance. Sidney Rose was a young man of the same village as Arthur, but of different origin and training. In early boyhood they were often playmates together; and the acquaintance thus formed continued more or less up to manhood. Sidney was of another spirit to Arthur, naturally high-minded, blustering, and self-conceited. His education was only such as he had received in a country classical academy, and in this he had not succeeded to the extent his pretensions led one to suppose. Arthur and Sidney once met in an evening party at the house of Mr. Grindell. The company consisted mostly of young ladies and young gentlemen. During the conversation of the evening, in which Sidney took a prominent part, he made an attempt to quote the following line from Ovid, with no other intention than to exhibit his learning:-- "Dulcia non ferimus; succo renovamur amaro," in which he made the most glaring blunders. "Dulcam non farimas, succor amarum reno," he said, with the most ostentatious air and bombastic confidence. Two or three of the company could not refrain from laughing at his airs, not to say his blunders. "What are you laughing at?" inquired Sidney, in his independent tone, and as though he was highly insulted. "I beg your pardon, Sidney, but I think they were smiling at a mistake or two which you have made in that Latin quotation," said Arthur, quietly. "Mistake, indeed! I have made no mistake," said Sidney, in an angry tone. "I think you have," observed Arthur, modestly. "Show me, then, if you can. I guess that is out of your power," said Sidney, more excited. "Don't be excited, my friend," said Arthur; "I think I can give the line correctly." Arthur quoted the line as it occurs in the book. The difference appeared to Sidney; but he would make no acknowledgment. Nor would he give up the exhibition of his academic learning. He thought he would be a match for Arthur and the young gentlemen who seemed to ridicule what _he_ knew they could not mend, so he made another attempt. "Which of you," he inquired, "can tell me in what part of Horace the following line occurs:-- 'Amor improbe non quid pectora mortalia cogis'?" A faint smile passed over the countenance of Arthur, while Bonner, an educated young collegian, could not restrain his risible powers, and broke out in a loud laugh, at the expense of his good manners. "What's that Bonner laughing at?" asked Sidney, in a manner which betrayed his indignation and chagrin.