I was too intent on my narration to pay much heed to Hallett's face, though in fact I hardly saw it, he kept it so bent over his task, neither did I notice his silence; but at last, when it was ten o'clock, and I rose to go, he rose too, and I saw that he was rather paler than usual. "Are you ill, Hallett?" I said anxiously. "How white you look." "Ill? oh no, Antony. I have been sitting too much over my model. You and I must have another run or two into the country, and put roses in our cheeks." He looked at me with a smile, but there was a weary, haggard look in his eyes that troubled me. "Come, you must have a scrap of supper before you go," he said; and in spite of my protest he led me into the sitting-room, where Mrs Hallett was seated by the shaded lamp reading, and the supper-cloth was laid half across the table. "Yes," she said, looking up, as she let fall her book; "it's time you came, Stephen. It's very, very, very cruel of you to leave me alone so long." "My dear mother," he said tenderly, "I did not know you were by yourself. Where is Linny?" he said anxiously. "Oh, I don't know," replied Mrs Hallett querulously. "You are always either out or upstairs with your playthings." "For Heaven's sake, mother, be just," Hallett exclaimed, with a burst of energy, such as I had not seen in him before. "Don't goad me at a time like this. Where, I say, where is Linny?" "Goad you, Stephen! No, I don't goad you," whimpered the poor woman. "I cannot help myself; say what you will to me. You neglect me, and Linny is always running out." "Has Linny gone out now, mother?" exclaimed Hallett. "Yes, yes, and I am left all alone--a poor helpless invalid." "Where has Linny gone, mother?" "I don't know, Stephen. She said there was something to fetch. How can I tell?" and she burst into tears. "Mother, dear mother," cried Hallett, bending over her and kissing her, "pray, pray don't think me unkind; I am working for you, and Linny too." "But if you would only be more ambitious, Stephen--if you would only try your poor father's profession." "I cannot--you know I cannot, dear," he said appealingly. "No, no, no," sobbed the poor woman; "always some low mechanic's pursuit. Oh dear, oh dear! If it would only please God to take me, and let me be at rest!" "Mother, dear mother," whispered Hallett, "be reasonable. Pray, dear, be reasonable, and bear with what does seem like neglect; for I am indeed working for you, and striving to make you a happier and better home. Believe this of me, and bear with me, especially now, when I have two troubles to meet that almost drive me mad. Linny, dear: think of Linny." "Shall I go now, Mr Hallett?" I said, for the scene was terrible to me, and I felt hot with indignation at one whom I looked upon as the most unreasonable of women. "No, Antony; stay, I may want you," he said sternly. "Now, mother," he continued, "about Linny. She must not be allowed to go out at night like this."