 directed upon him
when Dr. Nares, moving past with a train of colloquial attendants, turned aside
to repeat his praise of the young man's achievements in Philosophy: he bestowed
a kindly shake of the hand, and moved on.
    The Warricombe group descended, in purposeless fashion, towards the spot
where Chilvers held his court. Their personal acquaintance with Bruno and his
family was slight, and though Mrs. Warricombe would gladly have pushed forward
to claim recognition, natural diffidence restrained her. Sidwell kept in the
rear, risking now and then a glance of vivid curiosity on either hand. Buckland,
striving not to look petulant or sullen, allowed himself to be led on; but when
he became aware of the tendency Bruno-wards, a protest broke from him.
    »There's no need to swell that fellow's conceit. Here, father, come and have
a word with Peak; he looks rather down in the mouth among his second prizes.«
    Mr. Warricombe having beckoned his companions, they reluctantly followed to
the more open part of the hall.
    »It's very generous of Buckland,« fell from the lady's lips, and she at
length resolved to show an equal magnanimity. Peak and Earwaker were conversing
together when Buckland broke in upon them with genial outburst.
    »Confound it, Peak! what do you mean by getting me stuck into a bracket?«
    »I had the same question to ask you,« returned the other, with a grim smile.
    Mr. Warricombe came up with extended hand.
    »A species of bracket,« he remarked, smiling benevolently, »which no
algebraic process will remove. Let us hope it signifies that you and Buckland
will work through life shoulder to shoulder in the field of geology. What did
Professor Gale give you?«
    Before he could reply, Peak had to exchange greetings with Mrs. Warricombe
and her daughter. Only once hitherto had he met them. Six months ago he had gone
out with Buckland to the country-house and passed an afternoon there, making at
the time no very favourable impression on his hostess. He was not of the young
men who easily insinuate themselves into ladies' affections: his exterior was
against him, and he seemed too conscious of his disadvantages in that
particular. Mrs. Warricombe found it difficult to shape a few civil phrases for
the acceptance of the saturnine student. Sidwell, repelled and in a measure
alarmed by his bilious countenance, could do no more than grant him her
delicately gloved fingers. Peak, for his part, had nothing to say. He
