“As he has voluntarily confessed his fault, I shall not expel him,” replied the doctor; “but I intend that he shall beg your pardon before the school.”
Louis, however, pleaded so earnestly that he had already suffered enough, and begged as a favor that nothing more might be said, that at length Dr. Wilkinson gave way.
The sensation that this event had caused in the school was very great: those who had been loudest in condemning Louis, were now the loudest in his praise, and most anxious to load him with every honor; and when he made his appearance among them with Reginald, whose manly face beamed with satisfaction and brotherly pride, he was seized by a party, and against his will, chaired round the playground, everywhere greeted by loud cheers, with now and then “A groan for Ferrers!”
“Louis, my man, you look sorrowful,” said Hamilton, as he was landed at last on the threshold of the school-room door.
“No, no,” said Salisbury, who had been foremost in the rioting; “cheer up, Louis—what's the matter?”
“I am afraid,” said Louis, turning away.
“Afraid! of what old boy?” said Salisbury. “Come, out with it.”
“I am afraid you will make me think too much of what ought not to be thought of at all—you are all very kind, but—”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed Salisbury; “we're all so vexed that we have been such bears, and we want to make it up.”
“I am sure I do not think any thing about it now,” said Louis, holding out both his hands and shaking all by turns; “I am very happy. Will you let me ask one thing of you?”