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, his kind
and loving manner, smote all the tender chords of Miriam's heart.
Could that man be guilty of the crime she had dared to suspect him of?
Oh, no, no, no! never! Every lineament of his face, every inflection of
his voice, as well as every act of his life, and every trait of his
character, forbade the dreadful imputation!
But then the evidence--the damning evidence! Her reeled with the doubt
as she sank into the seat he offered her.
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