"I felt," he said, to put an end to our awkward silence, "that you would grant me this private interview, Miriam." He emphasised the word "private," and I once more half rose, for my position was most painful, and the hot anger and indignation in my breast more than I could bear. "Sit still, Antony," said Miss Carr quietly; "Mr Lister has nothing to say to me that you do not already know." "But you will grant me a private interview, Miriam," said Lister appealingly. "Mr Lister," said Miss Carr, after pointing to a chair, which her visitor refused to take, remaining standing, as if resenting my presence, "you wrote and begged me to see you, to let you speak instead of writing. I have granted that which you wished." "Yes," he said bitterly, "but I did not ask for an interview in presence of a third party, and that third person _Mr_ Antony Grace." There was something so petty in his emphasis of the title of courtesy _Mr_, that I once more rose. "Miss Carr," I said, "I am sure it will be more pleasant for all. Let me beg of you to excuse me now," and as I spoke I moved towards the door. "I wish you to stay," she said quietly; and as I resumed my seat and angrily took up a book, "Mr Lister, Antony Grace is my very dear friend and adviser. Will you kindly say what you wish in his presence?" "In his presence?" exclaimed Lister, with the colour coming into his cheeks. "In his presence," replied Miss Carr. "Am I to understand, Miriam," he said imploringly, "that you intend to go by Mr Grace's advice?" "No, Mr Lister; I shall answer you from the promptings of my own heart." "Then for heaven's sake, Miriam," he cried passionately, "be reasonable with me. Think of the years of torture, misery, probation, and atonement through which I have passed. Come into the next room, I implore you, if Mr Grace has not the good feeling and gentlemanly tact to go." He began his speech well, but it seemed as if, for the life of him, he could not refrain from being petty, and he finished by being contemptible in his spite against one whom he evidently looked upon as being the cause of his disappointment. "I wish for Antony Grace to stay," said Miss Carr quietly; "Mr Lister, you have resumed your addresses to me, and have asked me by letter to forgive you, and let you plead your cause; and more, you tell me that you bitterly repent the past." "Miriam," he cried, "why do you humiliate me before this man?" "John Lister," she continued, "I am but repeating your words, and it is no humiliation for one who repents of the wrong and cruelty of his ways to make open confession, either by his own lips or by the lips of others. You do repent the ill you did to me, and to him who is--dead?" "Oh yes, yes!" he cried passionately; "believe me, dear Miriam, that I do. But I cannot plead my cause now before a third party."