“Yes,” he said, after a long pause, “here is an entry which shall save you this time.  I find written here against your name, ’April 3.  Risked his life in the endeavor to save Edwin Russell at the Stack.’  That one good and noble deed shall be the proof that you are capable of better things.  It may be weak perhaps—­I know that it will be called weak—­and I do not feel certain that I am doing right; but if I err it shall be on the side of mercy.  I shall change expulsion into some other punishment.  You may go.”

Wildney’s face lighted up as suddenly and joyously as when a ray of sun-light gleams for an instant out of a dark cloud.

“O thank you, thank you, sir,” he exclaimed, drying his eyes, and pouring into the words a world of expression, which it was no light pleasure to have heard.  But Eric spoke less impulsively, and while the two boys were stammering out their deep gratitude, a timid hand knocked at the door, and Vernon entered.

“I have come, sir, to speak for poor Eric,” he said in a low voice, and trembling with emotion, as, with downcast eyes, he modestly approached towards Dr. Rowlands, not even observing the presence of the others in the complete absorption of his feelings.  He stood in a sorrowful attitude, not venturing to look up, and his hand played nervously with the ribbon of his straw hat.

“I have just forgiven him, my little boy,” said the Doctor kindly, patting his stooping head; “there he is, and he has been speaking for himself.”

“O, Eric, I am so, so glad, I don’t know what to say for joy.  O Eric, thank God that you are not to be expelled;” and Vernon went to his brother, and embraced him with the deepest affection.

Dr. Rowlands watched the scene with moist eyes.  He was generally a man of prompt decision, and he well knew that he would incur by this act the charge of vacillation.  It was a noble self-denial in him to be willing to do so, but it would have required an iron heart to resist such earnest supplications, and he was more than repaid when he saw how much anguish he had removed by yielding to their entreaties.

Once more humbly expressing their gratitude, the boys retired.

They did not know that other influences had been also exerted in their favor, which, although ineffectual at the time, had tended to alter the Doctor’s intention.  Immediately after school Mr. Rose had been strongly endeavoring to change the Doctor’s mind, and had dwelt forcibly on all the good points in Eric’s character, and the promise of his earlier career.  And Montagu had gone with Owen and Duncan to beg that the expulsion might be commuted into some other punishment.  They had failed to convince him; but, perhaps, had they not thus exerted themselves, Dr. Rowlands might have been unshaken, though he could not be unmoved by Vernon’s gentle intercession and Eric’s passionate prayers.

Wildney, full of joy, and excited by the sudden revulsion of feeling, only shook Eric’s hand with all his might, and then darted out into the playground to announce the happy news.  The boys all flocked round him, and received the intelligence with unmitigated pleasure.  Among them all there was not one who did not rejoice that Eric and Wildney were yet to continue of their number.