Jacques smiled languidly. "Only when you hear it on the portico--at Shadynook or elsewhere," he said. "No more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me," said Sir Asinus cheerfully. "The greatest men are subject to these sudden panics, and I am no exception. Ah! what news?" Jacques sat down sighing. "None," he said, "except that we have a new student at college--Hoffland is his name, I believe--a friend of Mowbray's apparently. Let's see your bad verses." "No, no!" cried Sir Asinus, rolling them up. "_Minerva was invited_, as our friend Page used to say, but did not attend." "That reminds me of the ball." "At the 'Raleigh?'" "Yes," sighed Jacques. "This week, eh?" "Yes; and every body is discussing it. It will be held in the _Apollo_----" "A capital room." "For a ball--yes." "For any thing--a meeting of conspirators, or patriots, which might amount to the same thing," said Sir Asinus. "Well, will your knightship attend the ball?" "Of course." "Pray, with whom!" "Belle-bouche." Jacques smiled with melancholy triumph. "I think you are mistaken," he said, sadly. "How?" "She has engaged to go with me." "Base stratagem--unfaithful friend! I challenge you on the spot." "Good! I accept." "Take your foil!" cried Sir Asinus, starting up. "Pardon me, most worthy knight--hand it to me. I can easily prick you without rising." Sir Asinus relented. "Well, let us defer the combat," he said; "but when were you at Shadynook--which, by the by, should be called Sunnybower?" "Yesterday!" "And maligned me?" "Very well--war to the death in future. What news there?" "Philippa is gone." "Ah?" "Yes; she suddenly announced her intention some days ago, and with a nod to me, drove off in her chariot." "A fine girl." "Why don't you court her, if you admire her so much?" "My friend," said Sir Asinus, "you seem not to understand that I am 'tangled by the hair and fettered by the eye' of Belle-bouche the fairy." Jacques sighed. "Then I flatter myself she likes me," said Sir Asinus, caressing his red whiskers in embryo. "I am in fact pledged exclusively to her. I can't espouse both." "Vanity!" said Jacques languidly; "but you could build a feudal castle--a very palace--in the mountains with Philippa's money." "There you are, with your temptations--try to seduce me, a republican, into courtly extravagance--me, a martyr to religious toleration, republican ideas, and the rights of woman!" "Very well, Sir Asinus, I won't tempt you further; but I think it would be cheap for you to marry on any terms--if only to extricate yourself from your present difficulties. Once married, you would of course leave college." "Yes; but I wish to remain." "What! in this attic?" "Even so." "A hermit?"