72 THE MISSING BOOK.

Harding’s model.” He was a brilliant scholar—
punctual and studious, and was supposed by his
teachers to be a boy of strict moral principles. His
comrades knew him better, but it was a great dis-
appointment to Mr. Harding to find he had been so de-
ceived. He sat silent at his desk for some minutes,
and then called Philip Graham, who arose in his seat.

“There can be no doubt,” said Mr. Harding, “ of the
entire correctness of Mr. Neville’s statement. If you
have any excuse to make, or any explanation to give,
you have an opportunity.”

Philip stood erect. His eyes were cast down, but
his countenance was unmoved, and he made no reply.

“Tt grieves me more than I can express,” continued
Mr. Harding, “to be compelled to look not only with
suspicion and distrust, but with deep disapprobation,
on one whom I have always regarded with confidence |
and esteem. I must henceforth regard you as opposed
to my plans and my interests. This is the first offence
of yours that has come to my knowledge, but it is one
of great aggravation. You have deliberately disobeyed
me, and as you are a subscriber to the library, your
offence is probably one of long standing. Nor is that
all. You have used your influence to induce another
to break my rules, and to pervert his mind with such
vile trash as this book contains. I cannot suppose
that this is your only attempt. It may be that you
have induced others whose minds, unlike that of