The classroom was arranged in a spare back parlor on the first floor--a

spacious apartment whose windows looked out upon the near shrubberies

and the distant woods. Here on the right hand were seated the five boys

under their tutor; and on the left were gathered the girls under their

governess. But when a class was called up for recitation, before the

tutor, boys and girls engaged in the same studies, and in the same stage

of progress stood up together, that their minds might be stimulated by

mutual emulation.

Often Mrs. Middleton occupied a seat in an arm-chair near one of the

pleasant windows overlooking the shrubberies, and employed herself with

some fine needlework while superintending the school. Sometimes, also,

Mr. Middleton came in with his book or paper, and occasionally, from

force of habit, he would take a classbook and hear a recitation. It was

to keep his hand in, he said, lest some unexpected turn of the wheel of

fortune should send him back to his old profession again.

Thus, this was in all respects a family school.

But when the neighbors became acquainted with its admirable working,

they begged as a favor the privilege of sending their children as day

pupils; and Mr. Middleton, in his cordial kindness, agreed to receive

the new pupils; but only on condition that their tuition fees should be

paid to augment the salaries of the tutor and the governess, as he--Mr.

Middleton--did not wish, and would not receive, a profit from the

school.

Among the newcomers were the sons of Commodore Burghe. Like the other

new pupils, they were only day scholars. For bad conduct they had once

been warned away from the school; but had been pardoned and received

back at the earnest entreaty of their father.

Their presence at Brudenell Hall on the nearly fatal night of the fire

had been accidental. The night had been stormy, and Mrs. Middleton had

insisted upon their remaining.

These boys were now regular attendants at the school, and their manners

and morals were perceptibly improving. They now sat with the Middleton

boys and shared their studies.

Into this pleasant family schoolroom, on the first Monday in April,

young Ishmael Worth was introduced. His own heroic conduct had won him a

place in the most select and exclusive little school in the State.

Ishmael was now thirteen years of age, a tall, slender boy, with a broad

full forehead, large prominent blue eyes, a straight well-shaped nose,

full, sweet, smiling lips, thin, wasted-looking cheeks, a round chin and

fair complexion. His hands and feet were small and symmetrical, but

roughened with hard usage. He was perfectly clean and neat in his

appearance. His thin, pale face was as delicately fair as any lady's;

his flaxen hair was parted at the left side and brushed away from his

big forehead; his coarse linen was as white as snow, and his coarser

homespun blue cloth jacket and trousers were spotless; his shoes were

also clean.




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