"It was nothing, my dear Miriam," exclaimed John Lister. Then in a low
voice to me, "Go: I'll cover your retreat."
Go, and run off like a coward? No; that I felt I could not do, and I
looked indignantly at him.
"If you value my friendship, Antony," cried Miss Carr, "tell me, I
insist, what you meant by that accusation of Mr Lister."
"I do--I do value your friendship, Miss Carr," I cried passionately,
"but don't, pray don't ask me. I cannot--I will not tell."
"I command you to tell me," she cried: and to my young eyes she looked
queen-like in her beauty, as she seemed to compel me to obey.
Mature thought tells me that she must indeed have seemed even majestic
in her bearing, for John Lister looked pale and haggard, and I saw him
again and again moisten his dry lips and essay to speak.
"I cannot tell you," I said; "Miss Carr, pray do not ask me!" I cried
piteously.
"Tell me this instant, or leave my house, ungrateful boy!" she exclaimed
passionately; and, casting an imploring look at her, I saw that she was
pointing towards the door.
I would have given the world to have obeyed her; but there seemed to be
something so cowardly, so mean and despicable, in standing there and
accusing John Lister before the face of his affianced wife, that, with a
piteous look, I slowly turned towards the door.
It was terrible to me to be driven away like that, and I felt my heart
swell with bitterness; but I could not speak, and as I once more looked
in her pitiless eyes, she was still pointing at the door.
The handle was already in my hand, and, giddy and despairing, I should
have gone, had not Miriam Carr's clear voice rang out loudly:
"Stop!"
Then, as I turned:
"Come here, Antony!" and the pointing finger was there no longer, but
two extended hands, which I ran across the room and seized, struggling
hard to keep back the emotion that was striving for exit, for I was but
a boy.
"My dear Miriam--" began John Lister once more.
"Mr Lister," she said, and her voice was very low and stern, as she
placed one arm round my waist and laid her right hand upon my shoulder,
"will you have the goodness to leave my house?"
"My dear Miriam, pray be reasonable!" he exclaimed. "That foolish boy
has got some crotchet into his head. It is all a silly blunder, which I
can explain in a few words. I assure you it is all a mistake."
"If it is a mistake, Mr Lister, you have nothing to mind; I now wish to
be alone."
"But, Miriam, dearest Miriam, grant me a few minutes' conversation. I
assure you I can set myself right in your eyes."
"If it is all a mistake, Mr Lister, why did you threaten Antony Grace,
if he dared to tell me the words I heard?"
"Because I was angry with him for making such a blunder, and I feared
that it would upset you. Let me speak to you alone. Miriam, dear
Miriam, you force me to speak to you like this before Antony Grace. I
tell you," he cried, desperately trying to catch her hand, "I swear to
you--what he said is a tissue of lies."
"And I tell you," she cried scornfully, "that Antony Grace never told an
untruth in his life. Mr Lister, I am a woman, and unprotected. I ask
you now to leave my house."
"I cannot leave you with that boy, and no opportunity for defending
myself. I must have a counsellor."
"You shall have one, John Lister," she said in a low, dull voice. "I
will be your counsellor when he accuses you."
"Heaven bless you?" he exclaimed excitedly. "Your loving heart will
take my part."
"My womanly duty, John Lister, and my plighted faith will join to defend
you from this grave charge."
"Let me stay and plead my own cause, dearest Miriam," he cried,
stretching out his hands and fixing his eyes upon hers; but her look was
cold, stern, and pitiless, and for answer she pointed to the door.
He made another appeal, but she seemed to be absolute, to master him,
and at last, trembling, white with passion and disappointment, he turned
and left the room, shrinking from that stern, pointing finger, and
half-staggering down the stairs. I heard him hurry across the hall, and
the door closed so loudly that the house seemed to be filled with
echoes, while his steps were perfectly audible as he strode along the
street.