By degrees, however, they thawed a little.

Mr Gwynne wished to say something that would set his young chess opponent at his ease, and said the very thing likely the most to confuse a shy man.

He made a personal remark and paid a compliment.
'I am sure your uncle and--and your father, of course, must have been much gratified, and so forth, at your gaining that fellowship at Oxford.' 'I think you labour under a mistake,' said Rowland, looking more than usually confused when he saw Miss Gwynne's eyes turned upon him; 'I merely gained a scholarship at Rugby, which is really nothing.

I did not even try for a fellowship.' 'Conceited!' thought Freda.

'I suppose he thinks if he had tried he would have got one.' 'Were you not at Baliol ?' asked Mr Gwynne.
'Yes; I went there because my aunt had a fancy for the college, her father having been, there, otherwise I should have gone to Jesus College and tried for a Welsh fellowship, which is more easily obtained, because there are few competitors.' 'Did you know anything of Mr Neville, Sir Thomas Neville's son ?' asked Miss Hall.
'Yes; I was introduced to him through some friends of my aunt's, and we became very intimate.