But unfortunately for him, he had hurt me severely as he caught me by the throat, and the pain, instead of cowing me, filled me full of rage. With one quick wrest I was free, and turning upon him fiercely, I exclaimed: "I will speak in spite of what you say. You are a coward, and treacherous, and no gentleman!" "Silence, dog!" he cried, in a hoarse whisper. "Have you dared to tell Miss Carr lies about me?" "I'm not a tell-tale," I cried scornfully, "and I'm not afraid of you, Mr Lister. I would not tell Miss Carr, but I dare tell you that you are a coward and a scoundrel!" He raised his fist, and I believe that he would have struck me, but just then his hand fell to his side, and his lips seemed to turn blue as he stared straight over my shoulder, and turning hastily, I saw Miriam Carr standing white and stern in the doorway, dressed ready for the concert. "Ah, Miriam," he exclaimed, recovering himself; and he forced a smile to his lips; "Grace and I were engaged in a dispute." She did not answer him, but turned to me. "Antony," she said sternly, "repeat those words you just said." "No, no; mere nonsense," exclaimed John Lister playfully. "It was nothing--nothing at all." "Repeat those words, Antony Grace," cried Miss Carr, without seeming to heed him: and she came towards where I stood, while I felt as if I would gladly have sunk through the floor. For a few moments I hesitated, then a feeling of strength seemed to come to me, and I looked up at her firmly as I said: "Don't ask me, Miss Carr! I cannot tell." "Antony!" she exclaimed. "My dear Miriam--" began John Lister; but she turned from him. "Antony," she cried imperiously, and her handsome eyes flashed as she stamped her foot; "I insist upon knowing the meaning of those words." I was silent. "It was nothing, my dear Miriam," exclaimed John Lister. Then in a low voice to me, "Go: I'll cover your retreat." Go, and run off like a coward? No; that I felt I could not do, and I looked indignantly at him. "If you value my friendship, Antony," cried Miss Carr, "tell me, I insist, what you meant by that accusation of Mr Lister." "I do--I do value your friendship, Miss Carr," I cried passionately, "but don't, pray don't ask me. I cannot--I will not tell." "I command you to tell me," she cried: and to my young eyes she looked queen-like in her beauty, as she seemed to compel me to obey. Mature thought tells me that she must indeed have seemed even majestic in her bearing, for John Lister looked pale and haggard, and I saw him again and again moisten his dry lips and essay to speak. "I cannot tell you," I said; "Miss Carr, pray do not ask me!" I cried piteously. "Tell me this instant, or leave my house, ungrateful boy!" she exclaimed passionately; and, casting an imploring look at her, I saw that she was pointing towards the door.