VII.

THE man named Burton, to whom reference has been made as being
particularly attentive to Miriam, was really charmed with the beautiful
young girl. But the affection of a man such as he was comes to its
object as a blight instead of a blessing. Miriam, while she did not
repel his attentions, for his manner towards her was ever polite and
respectful, felt, nevertheless, an instinctive repugnance towards him,
and when she could keep out of his way without seeming to avoid him,
she generally did so.

A few evenings after the conversation held with Edith, as given in the
last chapter, Burton, in passing from the dining room, said to Miriam,--

"Come. I want you to play for me some of those beautiful airs in Don
Giovanni."

"Indeed you must excuse me Mr. Burton," replied Miriam. "I don't feel
like playing to-night."

"Can't excuse you, indeed," said Burton, smiling pleasantly, and, at
the same time, taking Miriam's hand, which she quickly withdrew from
his touch. The contact sent an unpleasant thrill along her nerves. "So
come. I must have some music to-night."

Miriam yielded to the request, although she felt in no mood for
touching the piano. After playing several pieces, she lifted her hands
from the instrument, and, turning away from it, said,--

"There, Mr. Burton, you must really excuse me. I cannot play to-night."

"Excuse you! Certainly. And for the pleasure you have given me, accept
my thanks," replied Mr. Burton. There was a change in his tone of voice
which Miriam did not comprehend. "And now," he added, in a low voice,
bending to her ear, "come and sit down with me on the sofa. I have
something particular that I wish to say."

Miriam did as she was desired, not dreaming of what was in the mind of
Burton.

"Miriam," said he, after a pause, "do not be startled nor surprised at
what I am going to say."

But his words and manner both startled her, and she was about rising,
when he took her hand and gently detained her.

"Nay, Miriam," said he, "you must hear what I wish to speak. From the
day I entered this house, you have interested me deeply. Admiration was
followed quickly by profound respect; and to this succeeded a warmer
sentiment."

A deep crimson instantly mantled the face of Miriam, and her eye fell
to the floor.

"Can you, my dear young lady," continued Mr. Burton, "reciprocate the
feeling I have expressed?"

"Oh, sir! Excuse me!" said Miriam, so soon as she could recover her
disor