"You foolish boy!" she cried, in a nervous, excited way. "There, then: it is settled. You will go and see Mr Girtley, at his office in Great George Street, Westminster, and you may hid adieu to the printing-office, and make your first start towards being a professional man as soon as ever you like." "I--I can never be grateful enough to you, Miss Carr," I said, in a trembling voice. "Oh yes, my dear boy, you can. Work on and succeed, and you will more than repay me." "Then I shall soon be out of debt," I said joyfully. "I hope so, Antony," she said sadly; "but don't be too sanguine.--Yes?" "Mr Lister, ma'am," said the servant who had entered. "He would be glad if you would see him for a few minutes." "Did--did you tell him I was not alone?" said Miss Carr, whose face seemed to have turned cold and stern. "No, ma'am, I only took his message." "Show Mr Lister up," she said, in a quiet dignified way; and, as the footman left the room--"Go in there, Antony, and wait until Mr Lister has gone. He will not stay long." She pointed to the folding-doors that opened into a larger drawing-room, followed me, and pointing to a table covered with books, returned, leaving the door ajar. The various illustrated books were no little attraction, but the thought of becoming an engineer, and perhaps being of service to Mr Hallett, kept me from looking at them, and the next moment I heard the little drawing-room door open, and Mr Lister's voice, every word being perfectly audible. "Ah, my dear Miriam!" he exclaimed; "why, my dear girl, you look quite pale." I felt very guilty, and as if I were listening purposely to the words passing in the next room; so, taking up a book, I tried to read it, but in spite of my efforts every word came plain and clear, and I heard all. "I have been a little unwell," said Miss Carr quietly. "My poor girl!" he said tenderly. "Ah, you have been away too much! Miriam, dear, I want you to listen to me to-day. When am I to make you my prisoner, and keep you from these errant ways?" There was no reply, and a dead silence seemed to fall. "Why, Miriam, darling," said Mr Lister, in a tender voice, "you are more unwell than I thought for; why not have advice?" "No, no," she said hastily. "I am quite well, indeed, John." "Then why are you so cold and strange and distant? Have I offended you, darling?" "Oh no, John; indeed, no." "I could not visit you more frequently, Miriam. I could not join you abroad, for, as you know, my circumstances are only moderate, and I have to keep very, very close to the business. Ruddle does not spare me much. Are you annoyed because you think I slight you?" "Oh no, no, John--indeed no." "Yes, that is it," he cried; "you think I ought to have come down when you were staying at Rowford." "Can you not believe me, John," she said coldly, "when I tell you that there are no grounds for such a charge? You ought to know me better now."