er bridesmaid. Paul's letters were from some of his medical
classmates. By the time they had read and discussed the contents of
their epistles, a servant came in to replenish the fire and lay the
cloth for tea.

When Mr. Willcoxen joined them at supper, he laid a letter on Miriam's
lap, informing her that it was from Mrs. Morris, who advised them of her
daughter's intended marriage, and prayed them to be present at the
ceremony. Miriam replied that she had received a communication to the
same effect.

"Then, my dear, we will go up to Washington and pass a few weeks, and
attend this wedding, and see the inauguration of Gen. ----. You lead too
lonely a life for one of your years, love. I see it affects your health
and spirits. I have been too selfish and oblivious of you, in my
abstraction, dear child; but it shall be so no longer. You shall enter
upon the life better suited to your age."

Miriam's eyes thanked his care. For many a day Thurston had not come
thus far out of himself, and his doing so now was hailed as a happy omen
by the young people.

Their few preparations were soon completed, and on the first of March
they went to Washington City.

CHAPTER XXXII.

DISCOVERIES.

On arriving at Washington, our party drove immediately to the Mansion
House, where they had previously secured rooms.

The city was full of strangers from all parts of the country, drawn
together by the approaching inauguration of one of the most popular
Presidents that ever occupied the White House.

As soon as our party made known their arrival to their friends, they
were inundated with calls and invitations. Brother clergymen called upon
Mr. Willcoxen, and pressed upon him the freedom of their houses. Alice
Morris and Mrs. Moulton, the relative with whom she was staying, called
upon Miriam, and insisted that she should go home with them, to remain
until after the wedding. But these offers of hospitality were gratefully
declined by the little set, who preferred to remain together at their
hotel.

The whole scene of metropolitan life, in its most stirring aspect, was
entirely new and highly interesting to our rustic beauty. Amusements of
every description were rife. The theatres, exhibition halls, saloons and
concert rooms held out their most attractive temptations, and night
after night were crowded with the gay votaries of fashion and of
pleasure. While the churches, and lyceums, and lecture-rooms had greater
charms for th