"Phew!" whistled Revitts, and feeling very boyish and conscious, I made my retreat, for I was bound for Westmouth Street, and had stopped to have ten minutes' chat downstairs with my old friends on the way. I found Miss Carr looking very thin and anxious, and she listened eagerly to my account of howl was progressing at the works. "Mr Girtley tells me that you are doing wonders, Antony," she said, in a curious, hesitating way, for we both seemed to be fencing, and as if we disliked to talk of the subject nearest to our hearts. She was the first to cast off the foolish reserve though, and to ask after Hallett's health. "The doctors don't seem to help him a bit," I said sadly. "Poor fellow! he thinks so much about the failure of his hopes, and it is heart-breaking to see him. He toiled for it so long. Oh, Miss Carr, if I only knew for certain that it was John Lister who caused the breakdown, I should almost feel as if I could kill him." "Kill him with your contempt, Antony," she said sternly; and then, as we went on talking about Hallett's illness, she became very much agitated, and I saw that she was in tears, which she hastily repressed as her sister entered the room. The next evening when I went, I found her alone, for her sister had gone to stay a few days with some friends. My news was worse than ever, and there was no fencing the question that night, as she turned very pale when I gave my report. "But the invention, Antony," she exclaimed excitedly; "tell me how it is going on." "We are working at it as fast as possible," I replied; "it takes a long time, but that is unavoidable." "If you love Stephen Hallett," she said suddenly, and she looked full in my face, "get his invention finished and perfect. Let it succeed, and you will have done more for him than any doctor. Work, Antony, work. I ask you for--for--Pray, pray strive on." "I will--I am striving," I said, "with all my might. It was a cruel blow for him though, just as success was in his grasp." "Mr Lister is here, ma'am," said the servant, entering the room. "I have forbidden Mr Lister my house," said Miss Carr sternly. "Yes, ma'am, but he forced his way in, and--" Before the man could finish his sentence, John Lister was in the room, looking flushed and excited, and he almost thrust the servant out and closed the door. As he caught sight of me his face turned white with rage, but he controlled himself, and turned to where Miss Carr was standing, looking very beautiful in her anger. I had started up, and stepped between them, but she motioned me back to my seat, while he joined his hands in a piteous way, and said in a low voice: "I could not help it. I was obliged to come. Pray, pray, Miriam, hear me now." "Mr Lister!" she said, with a look of contempt that should have driven him away--"Mr Lister! and once more here?" "Miriam," he exclaimed, "you drive me to distraction. Do you think that such a love as mine is to be crushed?"