"Yes, I am calm," she said, "and I am going to work--and help my husband. Now tell me, What is to be done first? He is in that dreadful place." "Yes, my child, but leave this now. I will do all I can, and will tell you everything. You have had no sleep all night; go and lie down now for a few hours." "Sleep! and at a time like this!" cried Millicent. "Now tell me. He will be brought up before the magistrates to-day?" "Yes, my child." "And he must have legal advice to counteract all this cruel charge that has been brought against him. Poor fellow! so troubled as he has been of late." The doctor looked at her with the lines in his forehead deepening. "If they had given him time he would have proved to them how false all these attacks are. But we are wasting time. The lawyer, father, and he will have to be paid. You will help me, dear; we must have some money." The doctor exchanged glances with his wife. "You have some, of course?" he said, turning to Millicent. "I? No. Robert has been so pressed lately. But you will lend us all we want. You have plenty, father." The doctor was silent, and half turned away. "Father!" cried Millicent, catching his hand, "don't you turn from me in my distress. I tell you Robert is innocent, and only wants time to prove it to all the world. You will let me have the money for his defence?" The doctor remained silent. "Father!" cried Millicent in a tone of command. "Hush! my darling; your poor father has no money," sobbed Mrs Luttrell, "and sometimes lately we have not known which way to turn for a few shillings." "Oh, father!" cried Millicent reproachfully. "But there's the house. You must borrow money on its security, enough to pay for the best counsel in London. Robert will repay you a hundredfold." The doctor turned away and walked to the window. "Father!" cried Millicent, "am I your child?" "My child! my darling!" he groaned, coming quickly back, "how can you speak to me in such a tone?" "How can you turn from me at such a time, when the honour of my dear husband is at stake? What are a few paltry hundred pounds to that? You cannot, you shall not refuse. There, I know enough of business for that. The lawyers will lend you money on the security of this house. Go at once, and get what is necessary. Why do you hesitate?" "My poor darling!" cried Mrs Luttrell piteously, "don't, pray don't speak to your father like that." "I must help my husband," said Millicent hoarsely. "Yes, yes, and you shall, my dear; but be calm, be calm. There, there, there." "Mother, I must hear my father speak," said Millicent sternly. "I come to him in sore distress and poverty. My home has been wrecked by last night's mob, my poor husband half killed, and torn from me to be cast into prison. I come to my father for help--a few pitiful pounds, and he seems to side with my husband's enemies."