"Oh, Paul, I am thinking of our brother! Can nothing soothe or cheer
him, Paul? Can nothing help him? Can we do him no good at all? Oh, Paul!
I brood so much over his trouble! I long so much to comfort him, that I
do believe it is beginning to affect my reason, and make me 'see visions
and dream dreams.' Tell me--do you think anything can be done for him?"
"Ah, I do not know! I have just left his study, dear Miriam, where I
have had a long and serious conversation with him."
"And what was it about? May I know?"
"You must know, dearest Miriam, it concerned yourself and--me!" said
Paul, and he took a seat by her side, and told her how much he loved
her, and that he had Thurston's consent to asking her hand in marriage.
Miriam replied:
"Paul, there is one secret that I have never imparted to you--not that I
wished to keep it from you, but that nothing has occurred to call it
out--"
She paused, while Paul regarded her in much curiosity.
"What is it, Miriam?" he at last inquired.
"I promised my dying mother, and sealed the promise with an oath, never
to be a bride until I shall have been--"
"What, Miriam?"
"An avenger of blood!"
"Miriam!"
It was all he said, and then he remained gazing at her, as if he doubted
her perfect sanity.
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