“But, while thus wrapt in sleep, there was an unhappy and restless one pacing, with measured step, in his lonely college chambers, whose mind was tossed with pain and constant thought.
“He had passed all examinations with honour, and now only awaited his degree to go forth into the world to strive for wealth and fame.
“His room was small, and scantily furnished.
“No signs of luxury were there.
“Books and papers lay scattered about; a small study lamp shed its light upon a worm-eaten desk; an old oak chest stood open in the corner.
“A violin, pistols, belt, and sword hung from a rack in the wall.
“Pipes, and slippers, and papers were everywhere; and even as he paced the room, noiselessly and long, he puffed his pipe, and looked forth into the court-yard beneath, where nought was heard but the cool and mossy spray-splashing fountains, sparkling in the moonlight, and throwing up jets of diamond and ruby-like spray.
“‘And now,’ he thought, ‘the present is the most momentous moment of my life! How I have longed for it through long and tedious years of mental drudgery and toil! And yet, now I go forth to the world fatherless, friendless, and moneyless. I begin the battle of life alone!’”
“Why, that is my case exactly,” said Ned, thoughtfully, as he read on. “I wonder who this chap turns out to be? Surely not my father! If so, I have gone through all that sort of thing exactly as he did.”
He turned over a leaf of the manuscript, and read on:—