'I only know,' said George, 'that a great many people seem to enjoy life, and so I suppose we shall do the same in due time. Of course I don't mean just now, that would be unfeeling.'

The very strength of Miriam's affection for her brother, made her more sensitive to his incapacity to enter into her feelings, and she would not continue the discussion. She crept away to her mother's room, that she might abandon herself to the passionate yearnings of her desolate heart. She was soothed, rather than terrified, by the contemplation of the shrouded form, by the icy coldness of the brow to which she pressed her burning lips only in the thought how soon she was to be robbed of this consolation, her composure gave way, and she flung herself on her knees beside the bed, with a low, scarce articulate wail, 'Oh, mother, mother!'

:

Startled by approaching footsteps, Miriam stood up, trembling; for to encounter her father in that room, above all others, was indescribably painful. It was not Mr. Leigh, however, who softly opened the door, and entered with a slow and uncertain step. Ralph Cornwall came up to the bed without perceiving Miriam, who stood in the shadow of the curtain, and gazed long and fixedly on the rigid features which he had last seen, radiant in bright beauty. Memory must have carried him back to those days, for the exclamation, Poor child!'

broke from him, although there was nothing childlike in the lines of the worn and wasted face, and the hair which peeped from below the linen bands was silver-white. He only became aware of his

niece's presence as he turned away, and then he said with startled displeasure, unwilling to believe that any had witnessed his emotion: How long have you been here?'

'I do not know how long. But I am here always, when I am not busy.'

'That is not well,' said Mr. Cornwall. Come with me now. I wish to speak to you.'

Miriam followed her uncle into the passage, but when he would have turned the key in the lock, she stayed his hand.

'You need not, you must not,' she said with imperious calmness: she is mine-all that is left to me. And for so short a time. They are coming this very night to place her in the coffin: then they will cover her face, and I shall be shut out for ever.'

The for-ever of this fleeting life,' said Ralph Cornwall.

'You may call it so,' rejoined Miriam, 'for you are old, and your hairs are grey. But I am so young.'

To complain of youth as a curse, revealed to Mr. Cornwall the utter desolation of the motherless girl. He would have offered comfort, had he known the way, but he was repelled by the calm, self-possessed manner, and knew not how to approach her. Nor did Miriam seek for sympathy, saying, as if she read his thoughts :—

You need not pity me. I can bear it: I can even thank God that she is dead.'

'Her life was then so loveless ?' said Mr. Cornwall, with a quick, keen glance.

Miriam evaded reply, asking, as she followed her uncle into the sitting-room, and discovered that her father was no longer there: 'What did you wish to say to me?'

'It is necessary to determine your future life, Miriam, though it may seem heartless to urge the decision so soon. Your father tells me that he proposes to emigrate to Australia, whether as general practitioner, gold-digger, or settler, I know not. Any way, it will be a rough, roving life, not fit for a girl of your age. Will you stay with me? I am a cross-grained old fellow, and I cannot supply the place of her you have lost; yet I will do what I can.'

There was no brightening look on Miriam's face, no expression of gratitude. She merely said, And George ?'

'I do not know about George.

I have not seen him yet, and your father has now gone to talk over the matter, and to give him his choice.'

'And he has left me no choice?' said Miriam.

'Why, we agreed on that point-that a settler's life would not do for you. Yet I must not keep you against your will.'

'I must go where George goes,' said Miriam. 'Mamma bade me take care of him.'

Before Mr. Cornwall could require the explanation of such a charge, the father and son entered the room, The young man's handsome face and easy, gentlemanlike assurance, forcibly reminded Ralph of the attractions which had won his sister's heart long years ago, and the likeness to Mr. Leigh

did not incline him to greet his nephew with any great cordiality.

'Well, my boy, speak for yourself,' said the father; 'will you go or stay?'

'I wish to go with my father,' said George. 'It is his own free choice,' Mr. Leigh added; 'I have not influenced him in any way.'

Mr. Cornwall said, 'Very well.' It was evident that he intended to use no efforts to retain his nephew.

Miriam was less passive, but her entreaty was urged with the energy of despair, not with any hope of moving the person to whom it was addressed. Papa, may not I also choose freely? You will not separate me from George ?'

'My dear child, be reasonable. Your uncle must be hurt by such an ungrateful return for his offer to adopt you: he must expect-'

'Allow me to express my own expectations,' interposed Ralph Cornwall bluntly; 'Miriam indeed knows what I wish, what I think best. But I cannot force her to remain, contrary to her inclinations.'

I must speak to Miriam apart,' said Mr. Leigh, with a peculiar expression in his dark eyes, before which the girl seemed to quail. With a pale and resolute face she prepared to obey, when Mr. Cornwall interfered to prevent any intimidation. Drawing Miriam to his side, he said with decision:

'Not so: let Miriam have the free choice of

which you spoke just now. My dear child, will you return with me to the home your mother

loved so well, and where we played as children together?'

Miriam did not at once reply, and George, who had listened to the discussion with ill-concealed impatience, interposed: Do not be foolish, Miriam. You will only be in the way if you go with us now, and I have promised to come back and fetch you when we are rich enough.'

'He casts me off,' Miriam thought, with a swelling heart, and her resolution was taken. But she withdrew from her uncle's embrace, as if to mark that she was wholly uninfluenced by any affection for him, before she said, 'I will stay.'

'That is right,' said Mr. Leigh; 'I was confident that we might rely on your good sense. And as for you, Ralph, I do not know how we shall ever repay-'

'Do not speak of it,' said Mr. Cornwall, hastily buttoning his coat. 'I must be off. Good-bye,

Miriam, I shall be with you tomorrow.'

He left the room at once, while Mr. Leigh pursued him through the passage with expressions of gratitude.

When the

'What is so shrill as silent tears ?' brother and sister were left together, and Miriam covered her face with her hands, without uttering a word, George felt more uncomfortable than if she had heaped upon him the reproaches he was conscious of deserving.

'Don't make yourself unhappy,' he said, going up to her. The old fellow means to be kind to you, and you know I could not stay. Father said that he meant to send me to college, which would