Woman's Trials; Or, Tales and Sketches from the Life around Us

f 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 poli

Edith, as given in the last chapter, Burton, i

for me some of those beaut

Burton," replied Miriam. "I don

, taking Miriam's hand, which she quickly withdrew from his touch. The contact sen

touching the piano. After playing several pieces, she lifted h

must really excuse me.

e was a change in his tone of voice which Miriam did not comprehend. "And now," he added, in a low voice, b

red, not dreaming of what

e, "do not be startled nor surp

her, and she was about rising, when h

I entered this house, you have interested me deeply. Admiration was follow

ntled the face of Miriam, a

ontinued Mr. Burton, "reciprocat

ld recover her disordered thoughts. And she made anot

"Hear all that I wish

stant she entered her own room she closed and locked the door, and then, falling upon the bed, gave vent to a flood of tears. A long time pas

a syllable to Edith when she joined her

rate we are going on now, every thing must soon be lost. To think of what we have sacrificed and are still sacrificing, yet all to no purpose. Every comfort is gone. Strangers, who have no sympathy with us, have come into our house; and

ht, however, was busy, and remained busy long after sleep had b

ed with them: it grew more and more distinct each moment. Yes, there was a way of relief opened for her mother, of safety for the

ngs had assumed, and gazing down the fearful abyss into which, in a

mother out of her present unhappy situation. Thus, before the hour of midnight came and went, she thought. H

r ears, and she hearkened, in ex

. At breakfast time, she did not appear at the table; and when her mother sent to her room she returned for answer that she was not very well. The whole of the da

lm, yet sad face. As she was passing from the dining

d with you in the

but moved along by his side, and descended w

he sofa, "have you thought seriously of what I said last eve

up artlessly in his face, "I am too

u interested my feelings from the first; and now I ask you to be mine. As I was going to say last evening, I am rich, and will surr

sent," said the trembling

r. Burton, "and have long wanted to advise and befriend her. P

right key, and Burto

riam; "my mother is in great trouble.

r what you will, Mi

heaving of her bosom showed that her thoughts were bu

arrassed position, and settle upon her an

"And now, my dear Miriam, name

ng silence

maiden, "in what a strange, hu

better than words can utter it. Will an inc

e than I c

re mine, that sum will be

ickly, as Burton s

lection," and, ere he could pre