"I know I am to blame," he said passionately, "for letting you take and warm that young viper into life; but I could not tell. It shall end, though, now. I have written to your brother-in-law, and he will help to drag you from amongst this swindling crew." "Have you said all you wish to say, Mr Lister?" she replied coldly. "No," he cried, stung into a fresh burst by her words; "no, I have not. No, I tell you," he cried, taking a step forward, as if believing in his drunken fit that she was shrinking from him, and being conquered by his importunities; "No, I tell you--no: and I never shall give up till you consent to be my wife. Do you take me for a drivelling boy, to be put off like this, Miriam?" he cried, catching at her hand, but she drew it back. "Do you wish to save your name from disgrace?" She did not answer, while he approached closer. "You don't speak," he said hoarsely. "Do you know what they say about you and this fellow Hallett?" Still she made no reply. "They say," he hissed, and thrusting out his face, he whispered something to her, when, in an instant, I saw her countenance change, and her white hand struck him full across the lips. Uttering an oath, he caught her tightly by the arms, but I could bear no more. With my whole strength called up I leaped at him, and seized him by the throat, believing in my power of turning him forcibly from the room. The events of the next few moments seem now as if seen through a mist, for in the brief struggle that ensued I was easily mastered by the powerful man whom I had engaged. I have some indistinct memory of our swaying here and there, and then of having a heavy fall. My next recollection is of feeling sick and drowsy, and seeing Miss Carr and one of the servants bending over me and bathing my face. For some few minutes I could not understand what it all meant but by degrees the feeling of sickness passed away, and I looked hastily round the room. Miss Carr, who was deadly pale, told the maid to fetch some brandy, and as soon as we were alone, she knelt by me, and held one of my hands to her lips. "Are you much hurt, Antony?" she said tenderly. "I did not send for the doctor. That wretched man has made sufficient scandal as it is." "Hurt? No--not much," I said rather faintly. "Where is he?" "Gone," she said; and then she uttered a sigh of relief, as I sat up and placed one hand to my head, feeling confused, and as if I had gone back some years, and that this was not Miss Carr but Mary, and that this was Mr Blakeford's again. The confusion soon passed off, though, and after I had drunk the spirit that was brought me, I felt less giddy and strange. Miss Carr sat watching me, looking very pale, but I could realise now that she was terribly agitated. Before an hour had passed I felt ready to talk to her, and beg her to take some steps for her protection.