I had introduced him to Mr Girtley, who at once took a great deal of interest in the scheme, but who rather damped us at first by pointing out weaknesses, not of principle, but of construction, and at once proposed that before the great machine itself was attempted, a working model, four times the size of that laboriously constructed by Hallett, should be made. "It means time and expense, Mr Hallett," he said, "but over new things we must be slow and sure. For instance, there will be great stress upon certain parts--here--here--and here. I can say to you now that these parts must be greatly strengthened, and I could make certain calculations, but we can only learn by experience what is to be done." There was so much good sense in this, that Hallett at once agreed, and Mr Jabez of course nodded approval; and though it took a long time, the trial of the little machine fully bore out Mr Girtley's prophecies; so that great modifications had to be made. "Yes," said Mr Girtley, after the trial, "it is discouraging, certainly; but is it not better than having a breakdown just when your hopes are highest?" "Yes, but new moulds can be made, and you will go on at once," said Hallett eagerly. "Yes, the moulds shall be made, and we will go on at once." "Mr Girtley thought me very impatient, Antony," said Hallett, as we walked steadily back from Great George Street, where the little machine had been set up; "but there are bounds to every one's patience, and I feel sometimes as if the idol I have been trying to set up will not be finished in my time." "Nonsense?" I cried cheerily, "I guarantee it shall be. I'm to have a lot of superintending to do, Hallett, and I'll leave no stone unturned to get it on." "Thank you, Antony," he said, "do your best. I grieve for poor Mr Jabez more than for myself. Two hundred and fifty pounds of his money gone, and he has nothing yet before him in return but an unsubstantial shadow." Miss Carr had been a good deal away from England during this time, visiting her sister, who twice over returned with her to stay at Westmouth Street. I had, however, kept her fully informed about the progress made by Hallett. In fact, she knew my innermost life, and as much of the Halletts' as I knew myself. Those were pleasant days, though, when she was at home, much of my time being spent with her; and though I found that Lister had made several attempts to see her, and had written continually, he had never been successful. I learned, too, that Mr Ruddle had interfered in concert with some distant relatives of Miss Carr, and they had pretty well coerced Lister into more reasonable behaviour.