"
"Now, I thank God abundantly for the wealth that He has given me. Your
fortune, dearest Marian, has been nobly appropriated--and for the rest,
it is my blessed privilege to assume all your responsibilities--and I
rejoice that they are great! for, sweetest wife, and fairest lady, I
feel that I never can sufficiently prove how much I love and reverence
you--how much I would and ought to sacrifice for you!"
"And even now, dear Thurston, I came hither, bound on a mission to the
Western prairies, to find a suitable piece of land for a colony of
emigrants."
"I know it, fairest and dearest lady, I know it all. I will lift that
burden from your shoulders, too, and all liabilities of yours do I
assume--oh! my dear Marian! with how much joy! and I will labor with and
for you, until all your responsibilities of every sort are discharged,
and my liege lady is free to live her own life!"
This scene took place in the private parlor of the hotel, while Paul
Douglass was gone to Colonel Thornton's lodgings, to carry the glad
tidings to Miriam, and also to procure a carriage for the conveyance of
the whole party to Dell-Delight.
He returned at last, accompanied by Miriam, whom he tenderly conducted
into the room, and who, passing by all others, tottered forward, and
sank, weeping, at the feet of Mr.
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