 sitting-room, he found
his mother in company with Miss Cadman and the Misses Lumb, and from the
last-mentioned ladies, who spoke with amiable alternation, he learnt that they
were commissioned by Sir Job Whitelaw to offer for his acceptance a three-years'
studentship at Whitelaw College. Affected by her son's chagrin, Mrs. Peak had
disclosed the story to her sister, who had repeated it to the Misses Lumb, who
in turn had made it the subject of a letter to Lady Whitelaw. It was an annual
practice with Sir Job to discover some promising lad whom he could benefit by
the payment of his fees for a longer or shorter period of college study. The
hint from Twybridge came to him just at the suitable time, and, on further
inquiry, he decided to make proffer of this advantage to Godwin Peak. The only
condition was that arrangements should be made by the student's relatives for
his support during the proposed period.
    This generosity took away Godwin's breath. The expenditure it represented
was trifling, but from a stranger in Sir Job's position it had something which
recalled to so fervent a mind the poetry of Medicean patronage. For the moment
no faintest doubt gave warning to his self-respect; he was eager to accept nobly
a benefaction nobly intended.
    Miss Cadman, flattered by Sir Job's attention to her nephew, now came
forward with an offer to contribute towards Godwin's livelihood. Her supplement
would eke into adequacy such slender allowance as the widow's purse could
afford. Details were privately discussed, resolves were taken. Mr. Moxey, when
it was made known to him, without explanation, that Godwin was to be sent to
Whitelaw College, behaved with kindness; he at once released the lad, and added
a present to the salary that was due. Proper acknowledgment of the Baronet's
kindness was made by the beneficiary himself, who wrote a letter giving truer
testimony of his mental calibre than would have been offered had he expressed
himself by word of mouth. A genial reply summoned him to an interview as soon as
he should have found an abode in Kingsmill. The lodging he had occupied during
the examination was permanently secured, and a new period of Godwin's life
began.
    For two years, that is to say until his age drew towards nineteen, Peak
pursued the Arts curriculum at Whitelaw. His mood on entering decided his
choice, which was left free to him. Experience of utilitarian chemistry had for
the present made his liberal tastes predominant, and neither the splendid
laboratories of Whitelaw nor the
