"I'd just as soon be back with the gang," continued Crellock, "as be trifled with in this way by a man who used to be one to say a thing and do it. Now he's becoming a miserable, feeble driveller, afraid of every one who speaks to him." "So were you just now, when that Otway gave his orders." "Force of habit," said Crellock, with a grim smile. "Anyhow, I'm not afraid of you, and if you have not strength of mind enough to carry out what I say, I shall do it without you." "No, no, Steve; you are so hasty," said Hallam, in a feeble, whimpering tone. "Hasty!" "Well, as I keep telling you, there's plenty of time." "And I keep telling you there is not. Look here, Hallam. I'm not blind. That miserable parson wants her." "Now you are getting ridiculous." "And this officer fellow will be making such way with her, if I don't mind, that I shall have no chance." "You're frightening yourself with bogies, Steve." "You're playing such a double game, Robert Hallam, that either I shall have to take the reins in my own hands, or we shall come to a breakdown." "Nonsense! What's the use of talking like that?" "What's the use of a man setting his mind upon something, and then letting a weak thing like you play with him? I'll have no more of it. Now you have to do as I say or break, and that means--" "Hush, Steve!" cried Hallam, looking sharply round; but Crellock paid no heed to his words, and swung out of the study to walk straight into the room where Julia was kneeling by Eaton, with Thisbe on the other side. "Come here, Julia," he said roughly; "I want you." "Hush! Not so loud," she whispered, raising her hand. "Come here!" he cried, with a stamp of the foot, "at once." Julia started to her feet with an angry look flashing from her eyes; and as she faced him, her countenance full of resentment, Thisbe rose, thinking of her mistress in bygone days. "What do you want?" she said firmly. "Your father wants you in the study at once." Julia flushed slightly, and glanced at Thisbe, whose face looked as hard as if cut in stone, while the resemblance was increased by the position of her eyelids, which were drawn down, as if to veil the anger that was burning in her breast. Then, without a word Julia left the room, closely followed by Crellock, and Thisbe was left with the wounded man alone. VOLUME FOUR, CHAPTER TEN. IN THE NIGHT. Julia escaped the interview that she dreaded; for, just as they entered the hall, there was the thudding of horses' feet coming over the road, and Hallam came out of his room with a curious startled look in his face, to catch Crellock by the arm. "There's something wrong, Steve," he whispered hoarsely; "a stranger coming up, and the Captain with him."