CHAPTER IX.
MIDSUMMER HOLIDAYS AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.
HE summer holidays were coming very near, and most of the boys at Mr. Carey’s school were looking forward to them with great joy; for they had pleasant homes, where they knew that their fathers and mothers would welcome them, and their young sisters and brothers would be glad to see them again. Arthur Vivyan, too, was expecting to enjoy his time; for Mrs. Estcourt generally spent some of the summer weeks in the Swiss mountains, and this year it was a pleasure to her to think of showing the places, that she knew so well, to her nephew; and the thought of his wonder and surprise, when he should see the snowy mountains, and the deep blue lakes, that the sun would glow with a deeper colour, gave her more pleasure than she had known for a long time. Arthur had been very busy with his examination, and other things had hindered another walk with his new friend; but they both expected, when the holidays were over, and they should meet again, that there would be more time for walks and talks.
It was the last day of school. Arthur was hurrying in to his class, which was in a different room from the one in which Edgar studied, when in the corridor they met. Arthur was passing him quickly, with a nod and smile, when Edgar stopped him, and said breathlessly—
“Oh, Arthur, I have been looking everywhere for you! I must speak to you.”
“I can’t stop one minute,” said Arthur. “I’m late as it is.”
“Yes; but I must!” said Edgar eagerly. “You don’t know, I am going away to stay.”