At last, one day, Miriam received a letter from Paul, announcing the
termination, of the winter's course of lectures, the conclusion of the
examination of medical candidates, the successful issue of his own
trial, in the acquisition of his diploma, and finally his speedy return
home.
Miriam's impulsive nature rebounded from all depressing thoughts, and
she looked forward with gladness to the arrival of Paul.
He came toward the last of the week.
Mr. Willcoxen, roused for a moment from his sad abstraction, gave the
youth a warm welcome.
Miriam received him with a bashful, blushing joy.
He had passed through Washington City on his way home, and had spent a
day with Mrs. Morris and her friends, and he had brought away strange
news of them.
Alice, he said, had an accepted suitor, and would probably be a bride
soon.
A few days after his return, Paul found Miriam in the old wainscoted
parlor seated by the fire. She appeared to be in deep and painful
thought. Her elbow rested on the circular work-table, her head was bowed
upon her hand, and her face was concealed by the drooping black
ringlets.
"What is the matter, dear, sister?" he asked, in that tender, familiar
tone, with which he sometimes spoke to her.
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