On the day after my talk with Hallett, and Revitts' visit to the house, I made my way after office-hours to Miss Carr's, to find my welcome warmer than ever; for she flushed with pleasure, and sat for some time talking to me of her sister, who had written to her from abroad. "Now, Antony," she exclaimed, "you and I will dine together, and after that you shall be my escort to a concert at Saint James's Hall." "A concert!" I exclaimed eagerly. "Yes; I was about to send the tickets away, but you have come in most opportunely." I was delighted; for I had never heard any of our best singers, and we chatted through dinner of the music we were to hear, after which I was left in the drawing-room, to amuse myself, while Miss Carr went up to dress. I took up a book, and began to read; but the thoughts of Linny Hallett and Mr Lister kept coming into my head, and I asked myself whether I ought not to tell Miss Carr. No; I felt that I could not, and then I began wondering whether the engagement that had been extended might not after all come to nothing, as I hoped it would. It was horrible to me now, that John Lister should be allowed to keep up ties with my patroness, knowing what I did of his character; and yet I felt could not, I dared not, tell. At last, in the midst of my contending thoughts, some of which were for telling, some against, I forced myself into reading the book I had taken up, striving so hard to obtain the mastery over self that I succeeded--so well that I did not hear a cab stop, nor the quick step of him who had occupied so large a share of my thoughts. "Ah, Grace," said John Lister cavalierly, as he entered the room unannounced, completely taking me by surprise as I started up from the book. "You here again! Well, how's engineering? Like it as well as printing, eh? Why, you are growing quite the gentleman, you lucky dog! I suppose we must shake hands now." I felt as if all the blood in my body had rushed to my face, and a strange sensation of rage half choked me as I drew back. "Why, what's the matter with you, boy?" he exclaimed. "Hold out your hand." "I'll not," I exclaimed indignantly; "how dare you ask me!" "Dare I ask you--puppy!" he exclaimed, with an insolent laugh. "Why, what do you mean?" "How dare you come here?" I cried, my indignation getting the mastery of me. "Dare I come here!" he exclaimed, frowning. "Why, you insolent young upstart, what do you mean?" "I mean that you ought to be ashamed to show your face here again after your behaviour to Mr Hallett's sister." "Hush!" As he uttered that word he caught me by the throat, thrust his face close to mine, and I saw that he was deadly pale. "You dog!" he whispered; "if you dare to utter another word, I'll--" He did not finish, but gave me a vindictive look that was full of threatenings of ill.