With the earliest dawn of morning, Miriam left her room. In passing the door of Mr. Willcoxen's chamber, she suddenly stopped--a spasm seized her heart, and convulsed her features--she clasped her hands to pray, then, as if there were wild mockery in the thought, flung them fiercely apart, and hurried on her way. She felt that she was leaving the house never to return; she thought that she should depart without encountering any of its inmates. She was surprised, therefore, to meet Paul in the front passage. He came up and intercepted her:
He took both of her hands, and looked into her face--her pallid face--with all the color concentrated in a dark crimson spot upon either cheek--with all the life burning deep down in the contracted pupils of the eyes.
"Miriam, you are not well--come, go into the parlor," he said, and attempted to draw her toward the door.
"No, Paul, no! I must go out," she said, resisting his efforts.
"It is everything to me, Miriam, because I suspect your errand. Come into the parlor. This madness must not go on."
"Well, perhaps I am mad, and my words and acts may go for nothing. I hope it may be so."
"Miriam, I must talk with you--not here--for we are liable to be interrupted every instant. Come into the parlor, at least for a few moments."
She no longer resisted that slight plea, but suffered him to lead her in. He gave her a seat, and took one beside her, and took her hand in his, and began to urge her to give up her fatal purpose. He appealed to her, through reason, through religion, through all the strongest passions and affections of her soul--through her devotion to her guardian--through the gratitude she owed him--through their mutual love, that must be sacrificed, if her insane purpose should be carried out. To all this she answered:
"I think of nothing concerning myself, Paul--I think only of him; there is the anguish."
"You are insane, Miriam; yet, crazy as you are, you may do a great deal of harm--much to Thurston, but much more to yourself. It is not probable that the evidence you think you have will be considered by any magistrate of sufficient importance to be acted upon against a man of Mr. Willcoxen's life and character."
"Heaven grant that such may be the case."