"At last," said Hallings, "I could distinguish a sort of choking, gasping cry, and a hysterical sob from my dear master; and then I could bear it no longer, but knocked loudly for admittance at the locked door. My interruption broke up the conference; a chair was pushed back with violence as Mr Heneage, it seemed, rose from it, for it was his voice that thundered out, as he thumped the table in his rage--'To-morrow, sir! I tell you, to-morrow. I will be fooled no longer.' And then my master almost shrieked out--'A little time! a little time! Only a year; one little year, Cousin Heneage!' But the savage laughed in scorn; and, as he strode past me, followed by that other viper, looked back with stern determination, while he uttered, in a loud insulting tone--'Not a week, sir! Not a day beyond to-morrow.'" On going to the assistance of his master, poor Hallings found him in a state of dreadful agitation. "His forehead, sir, was wet with perspiration, though the fire had burnt down to nothing, and there was snow upon the ground, and there was a deep red spot upon either cheek. His hands were grasping the arms of his chair, and he rose from it as I entered, but stared at me with seeming unconsciousness. I could not see him so, and control my own feelings. 'My dear master!' I said, and the tears gushed from my eyes. The sight of that seemed to bring him to himself a little--for you know, sir, how tender-hearted he was--and he fetched two or three short sighs, and said, 'Oh, Hallings! it is all over,' and trembled so violently that I feared he would fall, and ran to his support; but he recovered himself, and seemed to have more strength than usual in his crippled limbs, as he walked across the library and hall, and up-stairs to his own bedroom, to the door of which I followed him. But he forbade my entrance in a determined tone; and, desiring he might not be disturbed for an hour or two, as he should lie down and recover himself, he went in and shut the door, drawing the bolt after him." So far I have given you in substance the narrative of Hallings; but his farther statement was of a nature so agitating that it was made more unconnectedly, and I must briefly relate to you, in my own words, the miserable conclusion. The habitual deference with which Hallings was ever accustomed to obey his master's least imperative command, restrained him on that last fatal occasion from opposing his desire to be left alone and undisturbed.