bade me tell you how much shocked he was to hear what had happened, and how much he has thought of you. But he will be here on Tuesday, to speak for himself.'

She was gone before Miriam had found voice to speak. The knowledge that Leonard entered into her grief went far to lighten it, but she so craved to see the assurance of his sympathy, that she must have asked to see the letter, if Susan had lingered for a moment, even at the risk of incurring another rebuff. 'She might have shown it to me unasked,' she thought; she might know how much I long for it. But she does not like nor understand me, and now I do not mind. He will be here on Tuesday, and then all will be well.'

128

CHAPTER XIII.

Oh, she, that hath a heart of that fine frame
To
pay this debt of love but to a brother,
How will she love, when the rich, golden shaft
Hath kill'd the flock of all affections else

That live in her!

TWELFTH NIGHT.

ΟΝ

N the afternoon of the following day, Mrs. Mordaunt sent her carriage to convey Miriam to the Mains, and Roger and George Leigh were loitering before the door as it came up the approach. your sister? I am curious to see her,' said Roger.

'Is that

And George answered with a half-laugh, ‘There is not much of her, and just now rather less than usual.'

Roger did not smile, for he was touched by the first sight of Miriam's small, pale face, and pity gave place to admiration when the bright pink colour came flushing into her face, as soon as she perceived her brother. Oh, George, were you waiting for me?'

'We have just come back from our ride,' said George; and Roger almost wished that he had given himself credit for a larger share of fraternal affection than he possessed, when he saw the expres

sion of languor and disappointment which crept over Miriam's face.

6 Can

you carry your sister upstairs? she is not strong enough to walk,' said Miss Alison.

'I am indeed,' said Miriam, as her brother made an incoherent reply, to the effect that he had never tried. But her foot had scarcely touched the ground, when the strength only lent to her by excitement, gave way, and she would have fallen, if Roger had not sprung forward, and caught her in his arms.

'I can carry her,' he said, looking at Miss Alison; and since George evinced no desire to interfere with the privilege, Roger bore his slight burden up the stairs, and laid her down on the schoolroom sofa.

Miriam thanked him, but not warmly; feeling almost aggrieved by a solicitude which only served to mark the contrast with her brother's indifference. George had followed in her train; but he remained standing apart from her sofa, silent and unoccupied, while Roger busied himself in darkening the room and making other arrangements for Miriam's comfort. That will do, thank you,' she said, a little impatiently, and Ailie signed to him to leave the room. But she recalled George, who, disregarding Miriam's wistful looks, seemed to consider that he also was dismissed. 'Will you stay with your sister?' she said, 'I am going down to see Mrs. Mordaunt.'

'Very well,' George answered; 'only I must have time to gather Susan's nosegay before dinner.'

'You had better go now; I do not mind being alone,' said Miriam, as soon as Miss Alison had left

K

the room; but when there was no third person to witness the change, her brother's manner became rather more demonstrative. He came near enough to hang over the sofa, saying—

'There is time enough yet, and I want to know how you are, little woman. You look very deplo

rable.'

Thank you, dear George,' said Miriam ; and words could not express her gratitude for his commiseration. I am getting better. I hope to be quite well in a day or two.'

'It is a good house to get well in ; and I wish to goodness they would ask me to stay here. I don't spend more time than I can help in Uncle Ralph's dungeon, but it is bad enough going back to it at night.'

'I hope that you will get on with Uncle Ralph, George.'

'As well as you do, I have no doubt.'

'I mean to try and like him better, for he was very kind about my illness.'

'And I mean to try and like him because Susan says I must. There must be some good in the old fellow, since she is so fond of him.'

At all events you get on with Susan ?' said Miriam.

'Of course I do; everybody does. She has the same bright, open manner for every one.'

6

Except for me,' Miriam thought, for she was conscious of an ever-widening breach, without being able to ascertain the cause; still she was grateful for the kindness shown to her darling brother, feeling how much Susan's influence might work for

good, although George's next remark inclined her to doubt if it had yet had that effect.

Roger is a good sort of fellow, but such a tailor on horseback; and when he carries a gun, it is so much waste of powder and shot. Susan says that I bring home larger bags than any one who ever shot on the Mains except Leonard Wray. And by the way, who is this Leonard ?'

A cousin of the Mordaunts: he is to be here on Tuesday,' said Miriam quietly. 'But, George, I like what I have heard of Roger, though he can neither ride nor shoot; he has done so well in his profession. I suppose we ought to be thinking of what you are to do next.'

That is Uncle Ralph's affair; and as long as I have the run of the house, I don't mean to trouble my head about it. Considering that I have just escaped from between the jaws of fire and water, you seem uncommonly impatient to get rid of me.'

'It is hard to say that, George. I am so thankful to have you here, and so glad that you are happy. Yet I cannot help wishing you to share my longing to shake off the burden of dependence on those who do not really care for us.'

'There is no use longing for what cannot be, though I should probably enjoy an independence as much as you. Meanwhile, life goes pleasantly enough, and I see no object in disturbing ym mind about the future. And so good-bye, little woman: I dare say I shall see you again before bedtime.'

George sauntered out of the room, complacent in the consciousness that he had devoted five minutes to his sister's society, and Miriam too was satisfied,