The despair that came over Millicent was terrible to witness; but she mastered these fits of despondency by force of will and the feverish energy with which she set to work. She visited Hallam, questioning, asking advice, instruction, and bidding him try to see his way out of the difficulty, till he grew morose and sullen, and seemed to find special pleasure in telling her that it was "all the work of that parson." In her feverish state, in the despair with which she had bidden herself do her duty to her wronged, her injured husband, she took all this as fact, and shutting herself up at Miss Heathery's, refused to read the letters Bayle sent to her, or to give him an interview. It was as if a savage spirit of hate and revenge had taken possession of her, and with blind determination she went on her way, praying for strength to make her worthy of the task of defending her injured husband, and for the overthrow of the cruel enemies who were fighting to work his ruin. And now she was having the last interview with Hallam, for the authorities had interfered, she had had so much latitude, and he had given her certain instructions which made her start. "Go to him?" she said, looking up wonderingly. "Yes, of course," he said sharply; "do you wish me to lose the slightest chance of getting off?" "But, Robert, dear," she said innocently, but with the energy that pervaded her speaking, "why not go bravely to your trial? The truth must prevail." "Oh, yes," he said cynically; "it is a way it has in courts of law." "Don't speak like that, love. I want you to hold up your head bravely in the face of your detractors, to show how you have been tricked and injured, that this man Crellock, whom you have helped, has proved a villain--deceiving, robbing, and shamefully treating you." "Yes," he said; "I should like to show all that." "Then don't send me to Sir Gordon. I feel that there is no mercy to be expected from either him or Mr Bayle. They both hate you." "Most cordially, dear. By all that's wearisome, I wish they would let me have a cigar here." "No, no; think of what you are telling me to do," she cried eagerly, as she saw him wandering from the purpose in hand. "You say I must go to Sir Gordon?" "Yes. Don't say it outright, but give him to understand that if he will throw up this prosecution of his, it will be better for the bank. That I can give such information as will pay them." "You know so much about Stephen Crellock?" she said quickly. "Yes; I can recover a great deal, I am sure." "And I am to show him how cruelly he has wronged you?" "Yes, of course." "You desire me to do this; you will not trust to your innocence, and the efforts of the counsel?" "Do you want to drive me mad with your questions?" he cried savagely. "If you decline to go, my lawyer shall see Sir Gordon."