Coningsby

nions were of a very democratic bent, sent his son to Eton, though he disapproved of the system

an aristocratic character, and had especially impressed upon him in his school career, to avoid the sl

rave and somewhat discontented humour of his blood. His talents were considerable, though invested with no dazzling quality. He had not that quick and brilliant apprehension, which, combined with a memory of rare retentiveness, had already advanced Coningsby far beyond his age, and made him already looked to as the future hero of the school. But Mill

make their way there at once, without preliminary inquiries as to what set they are in, or what family they are of, how much they have a-year, or where they live. Now, on no spirit had the influence of Coningsby

hat ecstatic present and romantic future; what bitter estrangements and what melting reconciliations; what scenes of wild recrimination, agitating explanations, passionate correspondence; what insane sensitiveness, and what frantic sensibility; what earthquakes of the heart and whirlwinds of the soul are confined in that simple phrase, a

to exchange slight and not unkind words. In their division they were rivals; Millbank sometimes triumphed, but to be vanquished by Coningsby was for him not without a degree of mild satisfaction. Not a gesture, not a phrase from Coningsby, that he did not watch and ponder over and treasure up. Coningsby was his model, alike in studies, in manners, or in pastimes; the aptest scholar, the gayest wit, the most graceful associate, the most accomplished playmate: his standard of excellent. Yet Millbank was the very last boy in the school who would have had credit given him by his companions for profound and ardent feeling. He was not indeed unpopular. The favourite of the school like Coningsby

ailed in cherishing, or indeed creating, any intimacy with the object of his solicitude. A companionship with one who was Coningsby's relative and most familiar friend, would at the first glance have appeared, independently of all other considerations, a most desirable result for Millbank to accomplish. But, perhaps, this very circumstance afforded additional reasons for the absence of all encouragement with which he received the overtures of Lord Henry. Millbank suspected that Coningsby w

mise had not been fulfilled; discussed the pretensions, and adjudged the palm. Thus public opinion is formed. Some, too, might be seen with their books and exercises, intent on the inevitable and impending tasks. Among these, some unhappy wight in the remove, wandering about with his hat, after parochial fashion, seeking relief in the shape of a verse. A hard lot this, to know that you must be delivered of fourteen verses at le

etween Aquatics and Drybobs,' said a senior bo

er. 'He has not paid his boating money, and I say he has no r

ielding major, he is su

e Aquatics if he does not pay his boa

ckhurst. Where

ooking little boy, in a hoarse voice, of on

Trot,

want

ce Tom T

I have been eatin

t? We must settle

if Fielding major plays amongst

will pay his mon

The captain duns us every da

an one get some toffy? T

nes' on the bridge. The

once. I must h

s,' said one boy to another, in an im

t; three false quantities in the two first lines!

a good

ow seen B

r with Coningsby

t him to make the list for the match to-

suddenly a flying report in this multitude, the origin of which

art was

. The report ran that Buckhurst was drowned. Great were the trouble and consternation.

?' said Sedgwick, captain o

Palmer it was Buckhur

is Br

er

u know abou

t was drowned. He heard it at the Brocas; a ba

rth!' a hundred voices exclaimed,

ou hear, Wentwort

ad been drowned above Surley, and the only Eton boat above Surle

a murmur

k, 'there is come chance. Who

n to the Brocas wit

ittle boy, with a tearful eye; 'h

' halloed out a boy;

do you know,

that an Eton fellow was drowned, and t

s here,' sa

ed over the way, and in a mom

Sam, about this acci

gentleman was drowned abov

name men

believe it was

l groan

y! By Heavens I hope

the bargeman who told me saw Mr. Coningsb

been drowned than Coningsby,'

w at Eton,' responded his co

ever fello

deuced g

got the medal i

e drowned? for he was

s life,' continued Boots in his evidence,

, bursting into tears: 'I move th

stop, don't all run away in that mad manner; you frighten the people.

t were evident in the Long Walk; the circle round Sedgwi

e air and countenance of Sydney and Buckhurst were rather excited than mournful or alarmed. They

ry Sydney indeed looked pale and nervous; but his companion, flushed and resol

infernal lie; Coningsby is qui

ard at Windsor Castle. Then, turning to S

ell you all in a moment, but we want to keep the thing quiet,

nd one or two others turned into the playing fields, where, undisturbed and unnoticed by

re said they should go and bathe in the Lock Pool. The rest of us were opposed; but after Millbank and Vere had gone about ten minutes, Coningsby, who was very fresh, said he had changed his mind and should go and bathe too. So he left us. He had scarcely got to the pool when he heard a cry. There was a fellow drowning. He threw off his clothes and was in in a moment. The fact is this, Millbank had plunged in the pool and found himsel

and all. The favourite oath of schoolb

ere. What a lucky thing that he had taken into his head not to pull to-day! Fresher than Vere, he just managed to land Millbank and himself. The shouts of Vere

id Henry Sydney, 'I never would

I live. However, there was the Lock House at hand; and we got blankets and brandy. Coningsby was soon all r

hing I ever saw,'

rst report was, that you had gone, but that seemed without fou

back to Coningsby directly; but we thought it best to show, finding on our arrival that there were all sorts

if I we