"I am overwrought and excited," she said to herself. "Ah! at last." There was no mistaking that step, and starting up, she ran into the hall to admit Hallam, who staggered in, closed the door quickly, and catching her hand, half dragged her into the dining-room. She clung to him in affright, for she could see that the cloak he wore was torn and muddied, that his face was ghastly pale, and that as he threw off his travelling cap, there was a terrible swelling across his forehead, as if he had received some tremendous blow. "Robert," she exclaimed, "what is the matter?" "Hush," he said quickly; "be quiet and calm. Has Thisbe gone to bed?" "Yes. Yes, I think so." "Quick, then; a basin and water, sponge and towel. I must bathe this place." "Did you fall?" she cried, as she hastily helped him off with the cloak. "No. But quick; the water." She hurried away, shivering with the dread of some new trouble to come, but soon returned with the sponge, and busied herself in bathing the hurt. "I was attacked--by some ruffian," said Hallam hoarsely, as the water trickled and plashed back in the basin. "He struck me with a bludgeon and left me senseless. When I came to he was gone." "Robert, you horrify me!" cried Millicent. "This is dreadful." "Might have been worse," he said coolly. "There, now dry it, and listen to me the while." "Yes, Robert," she said, forcing herself to be firm, and to listen to the words in spite of the curious doubting trouble that would oppress her. "As soon as I go upstairs to put a few things together and get some papers, you will put on your bonnet and cloak, and dress Julie." "Dress Julie!" "Yes," he said harshly, "without you wish me to leave you behind." "You are going away, then?" "Yes, I am going away," he said bitterly, "after hesitating, with a fool's hesitation, all these days. I ought to have gone before." "How strangely you speak!" she said. "Don't waste time. Now go." "One word, love," she whispered imploringly; "do we go for long?" "No; not for long," he said. And then, with an impatient gesture: "Bah!" he exclaimed; "yes, for ever." She shrank from him in alarm. "Well," he said harshly, as he glanced at his injury in the mirror, "you are hesitating. I do not force you. I am your husband, and I have a right to command; but I leave you free. Do you wish to stay?" A feeling of despair so terrible that it seemed crushing came over Millicent. To go from the home of her childhood--to flee like this with her husband, probably in disgrace, even if only through suspicion--was for the moment more than she could bear; and as he saw her momentary hesitation, an ugly sneering laugh came upon his face. It faded, though, as she calmly laid her hand upon his arm. "Am I to take any luggage?" she said. "Nothing but your few ornaments of value. Be quick." She raised her lips and kissed him, and then seemed to glide out of the room.