Born in Exile by George Gissing

of positions to be got.'
    It was idle to discuss the future whilst the first step was
still speculative. Mrs. Peak consented to favour the attempt, and
what was more, to keep it a secret until the issue should be known.
It was needful to obtain leave of absence from Mr. Moxey, and
Godwin, when making the request, stated for what purpose he was
going to Kingsmill, though without explaining the hope which had
encouraged his studies. The project seemed laudable, and his
employer made no difficulties.
    Godwin just missed the scholarship; of candidates in the
prescribed district, he came out second.
    Grievous was the disappointment. To come so near success
exasperated his impatient temper, and for a few days his bondage at
the chemical works seemed intolerable; he was ready for almost any
venture that promised release and new scope for his fretting
energies. But at the moment when nervous irritation was most acute,
a remarkable act of kindness suddenly restored to him all the hopes
he had abandoned. One Saturday afternoon he was summoned from his
surly retreat in the garret, to speak with a visitor. On entering
the 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 repute of its scientific Professors tempted him to
what had once seemed his natural direction. In the second year,
however, he enlarged his course by the addition of one or two
classes not included in Sir Job's design; these were paid for out
of a present made to him by Mr. Gunnery.
    It being customary for the regular students of