Trevannion eyed him haughtily as he leaned in his most graceful attitude against the wall behind the doctor's chair; and poor Louis read his condemnation in his eyes, as well as in the faces of most present.
Salisbury at length returned with Churchill, who was the more awe-struck at the unwonted summons, as he was so low in the school as seldom to have any business with the principal.
"Churchill," said the doctor, gravely, "I have sent for you to hear what is said of you.

Now, Louis Mortimer, who gave you this book on the day Mr.Hamilton discovered it in your possession ?" "Churchill, sir," replied Louis, in great agitation; "you did, Churchill, did you not?
Oh! do say you did." "Hush," said the doctor.

"What have you to say against this, Churchill ?" "Nothing, sir--I did--I gave it to Louis Mortimer," stammered Churchill, looking from Louis to the doctor, and back again.
"And how came you to give it to him ?" Churchill did not reply until the question was repeated, when he reluctantly said, he had given it to Louis to assist him in his exercise.
"Did Mortimer ask you for it ?" "No, sir." "Did he wish for it ?" "No, sir, not that I know of." "You know, Harry, that I asked you to put it away--did I not ?" cried Louis.
"I don't know--yes--I think you did," said Churchill, growing very hot.
"Why did you not put it away ?" asked Dr.Wilkinson.
"Because I thought he wanted it, please sir." "But I did not, Harry! I told you I did not," said Louis, eagerly.
Dr.Wilkinson desired Louis to be silent, and continued his questions-- "Did you try to persuade him to use it ?" Again Churchill paused, and again confessed, most unwillingly, that he had done so--and received a severe reprimand for his conduct on the occasion, and a long task to write out which would keep him employed during the play-hours of that day.
He was then dismissed, and Dr.Wilkinson again addressed himself to Louis: "I am glad to find that part of your story is correct; but I now wish you to explain how my key found its way into the school-room yesterday, when discovered by Mr.Witworth.The book must have been deliberately taken out of this room into the school-room.

You appear to have been alone, or nearly so, in the school-room the greater part of yesterday afternoon, and Mr.Witworth found the book half concealed by your lesson books while you were writing your exercises." "I assure you, sir, I did not take it," said Louis.
"Unhappily," replied Dr.Wilkinson, "I cannot take a mere assurance in the present instance.

Had not the case been so palpable, I should have been bound to believe you until I had had reason to mistrust your word--but with these facts I _cannot_, Louis;" and he added, in a very low tone, so as to be heard only by Louis, who was much nearer to him than the others, "Your honor has not always been sacred--beware." His school-fellows wondered what made the red flush mount so furiously in Louis' forehead, and the tears spring to his eyes.