' He did not hear their surnames. He never saw the bride again;
and he never saw the bridegroom until he saw Mr. Willcoxen at our
wedding. The moment Olly saw him he knew that he had seen him before,
but could not call to mind when or where; and the oftener he looked at
him, the more convinced he became that he had seen him first under some
very singular circumstances. And when at last lie heard his first name
called 'Thurston,' the whole truth flashed on him at once. He remembered
everything connected with the mysterious marriage. I wonder what Mr.
Willcoxen has done with his Marian? or whether she died or whether she
lives? or where he hides her? Well, some men are a mystery--don't you
think so, Miriam?"
But only deep and shuddering groans, upheaving from the poor girl's
bosom, answered her.
"Miriam! Oh, don't go on so! what do you mean? Indeed you alarm me! oh,
don't take it so to heart! indeed, I wouldn't, if I were you! I should
think it the funniest kind of fun? Miriam, I say!"
She answered not--she had sunk down on the floor, utterly crushed by the
weight of misery that had fallen upon her.
"Miriam! now what in the world do you mean by this? Why do you yield so?
I would not do it.
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