ht and shade, the strong individuality of air and attitude.

With a half-stifled shriek, Miriam recognized the distinct picture of
the man she had seen twice before with Marian.

"What is the matter, love? Were you near falling? Give me your arm,
Miriam--you need us both to help you through this storm," said Thurston,
approaching her.

But with a shiver that ran through all her frame, Miriam shrank closer
to Paul, who, with affectionate pride, renewed his care, and promised
that she should not slip again.

So link after link of the fearful evidence wound itself around her
consciousness, which struggled against it, like Laocoon in the fatal
folds of the serpent.

Now cold as if the blood were turned to ice in her veins, now burning as
if they ran fire, she was hurried on into the house.

They were expected home, and old Jenny had fires in all the occupied
rooms, and supper ready to go on the table, that was prepared in the
parlor.

But Miriam refused all refreshment, and hurried to her room. It was
warmed and lighted by old Jenny's care, and the good creature followed
her young mistress with affectionate proffers of aid.

"Wouldn't she have a strong cup of tea? Wouldn't she have a hot bath?
Wouldn't she have her bed warmed? Wouldn't she have a bowl of nice hot
mulled wine? Dear, dear! she was so sorry, but it would have frightened
herself to death if the carriage had upset with her, and no wonder Miss
Miriam was knocked up entirely."

"No, no, no!"

Miriam would have nothing, and old Jenny reluctantly left her--to
repose? Ah, no! with fever in her veins, to walk up and down and up and
down the floor of her room with fearful unrest. Up and down, until the
candle burned low, and sunk drowned in its socket; until the fire on the
hearth smouldered and went out; until the stars in the sky waned with
the coming day; until the rising sun kindled all the eastern horizon;
and then, attired as she was, she sank upon the outside of her bed and
fell into a heavy sleep of exhaustion.

She arose unrefreshed, and after a hasty toilet descended to the
breakfast-parlor, where she knew the little family awaited her.

"The journey and the fright have been too much for you, love; you look
very weary; you should have rested longer this morning," said Mr.
Willcoxen, affectionately, as he arose and met her and led her to the
most comfortable seat near the fire.

His fine countenance, elevated, grave and gentle in expression, hi