The talk flowed with zest and gaiety; the Surrey Sunday was a pleasant memory in the background, and all were glad to find themselves in the same company again.

It seemed to Kendal that Miss Bretherton was looking rather thin and pale, but she would not admit it, and chattered from her corner to Forbes and himself with the mirth and _abandon_ of a child on its holiday.

At last the 'dreaming spires' of Oxford rose from the green, river-threaded plain, and they were at their journey's end.

A few more minutes saw them alighting at the gate of the new Balliol, where stood Herbert Sartoris looking out for them.

He was a young don with a classical edition on hand which kept him up working after term, within reach of the libraries, and he led the way to some pleasant rooms overlooking the inner quadrangle of Balliol, showing in his well-bred look and manner an abundant consciousness of the enormous good fortune which had sent him Isabel Bretherton for a guest.