"Attend! collect your thoughts--the evidence you produce will probably be considered unimportant and quite unworthy of attention; but what will be thought of you who volunteer to offer it?"
"I had not reflected upon that--and now you mention it, I do not care."
"And if, on the other hand, the testimony which you have to offer be considered ground for indictment, and Thurston is brought to trial, and acquitted, as he surely would be--"
"And the whole affair blown all over the country--how would you appear?"
"I know not, and care not, so he is cleared; Heaven grant I may be the only sufferer! I am willing to take the infamy."
"You would be held up before the world as an ingrate, a domestic traitress, and unnatural monster. You would be hated of all--your name and history become a tradition of almost impossible wickedness."
"Ha! why, do you think that in such an hour as this I care for myself? No, no! no, no! Heaven grant that it may be as you say--that my brother be acquitted, and I only may suffer! I am willing to suffer shame and death for him whom I denounce! Let me go, Paul; I have lost too much time here."
"Will nothing induce you to abandon this wicked purpose?"
"No! so help me Heaven! Give way--let me go, Paul."
"I must and will--and that directly. Stand aside."
"I will! You are a maniac, Miriam, and must be restrained from going abroad, and setting the county in a conflagration."
"You will have to guard me very close for the whole of my life, then."
At that moment the door was quietly opened, and Mr. Willcoxen entered.
Miriam's countenance changed fearfully, but she wrung her hand from the clasp of Paul's, and hastened toward the door.
"What does this mean?" asked Mr. Willcoxen, stepping up to them.
"It means that she is mad, and will do herself or somebody else much mischief," cried Paul, sharply.
"For shame, Paul! Release her instantly," said Thurston, authoritatively.
"Would you release a lunatic, bent upon setting the house on fire?" expostulated the young man, still holding her.
"She is no lunatic; let her go instantly, sir."
Miriam hastened onward, cast one look of anguish back to Thurston's face, rushed back, and threw herself upon her knees at his feet, clasped his hands, and cried: