'There are some people one cannot avoid seeing,' said Susan; but she ought rather to have said ‘one person,' for it was Leonard of whom she was thinking: not with the old involuntary interest, which humiliating associations were fast transforming into something very like aversion. She could not think of him without shame and uneasiness, and she would have rejoiced in the certainty that they were never to meet again, if so only that page of her life's history might be blotted out for ever. Towards Mr. Merton also her feelings were changed: his manly and noble forbearance had claimed her gratitude, but it was not with mere gratitude that she began to regard him. She thought of him often, and when she tried to hope that he had ceased to think of her, there came a strange and sudden pang, and she could not endure to believe that she might be soon forgotten.

The afternoon post came in to serve for a diversion, but it was an unwelcome one, to judge from the impatience with which Uncle Ralph regarded the contents of the two envelopes addressed to him. More of George's bills,' he said, 'for cigars and horse-hire. I am tired of writing that I am not responsible for his debts, and if this goes on I shall cause a notice to the effect that no credit need be given him, to be posted in the Penrith market-place.'

'I am sorry that George Leigh is going on so ill,' said Susan; 'I liked him very well when he was here.'

'His plausible looks and manner did not delude me for a moment,' said Uncle Ralph; 'he

is as unprincipled as his father, and without his brains.'

'It will be a great grief to Miriam.'

'Yes; and one evil of her present position is, that it enables her to supply him with money to pursue his reckless career. I shall write to warn her of the consequences of doing so, though one might as well send advice to the winds.'

And in a mood of unwonted energy, Uncle Ralph wrote a trenchant epistle to Miriam, and another to George, announcing that he had disclaimed his nephew's debts, and should withdraw his allowance unless he amended his ways.

244

CHAPTER XXV.

But the broad light glares and beats
And the shadow flits and fleets,
And will not let me be:

And I loathe the squares and streets,

And the faces that one meets,

Hearts with no love for me:

Always I long to creep

Into some still cavern deep,

There to weep, and weep, and weep
My whole soul out to thee.

TENNYSON.

ONE morning in the latter end of January, Mi

riam came down for an hour's drawing before breakfast, and two letters were brought to her in the library. One, directed in a strange hand and forwarded from Highfield House, she laid aside until she had opened the envelope which came from Uncle Ralph.

'My Dear Miriam,

'I have just heard from Mr. Lawson that George has been missing for some days. Lawson did not write before, I imagine, because it is not the first time that he has absented himself without leave; but it has come to his knowledge that the various debts he contracted in the neighbourhood

were becoming pressing, and as one of his associates, a young surgeon of doubtful reputation and embarrassed circumstances, disappeared at the same time, he concludes they went off together. As George had little or no money in his possession, it is probable that he will soon apply to you, and I write to entreat you in that case to refer him to me. For though I do not pledge myself to make any further provision, it will be much better to leave the matter in my hands. I will write again when anything transpires, and meanwhile I hope to hear from you.

'Your affectionate Uncle,
'RALPH CORNWALL.'

'He casts him off!' Miriam thought, with a swelling heart, and without a word of sympathy or regret. Yet I can scarcely say that George has received hard measure.'

In another moment, however, she reproached herself bitterly for this slight censure, and the blind, absorbing passion for her brother was revived by the contents of her other letter.

'Madam,

'I regret to inform you that Mr. George Leigh, whom I have reason to believe is your brother, is now lying in a precarious state at No. 5, Charlotte-street, Marylebone, suffering from the effects of an injury to his head. He was thrown out of a gig when driving with a young man who shared the same lodgings, and who, as far as I can ascertain, sailed for Australia on the following day. I was called in to attend Mr. Leigh professionally,

any

and as he continues incapable of rational conversation, I took the liberty to examine his papers, in order to discover some clue to his relations, who will no doubt be shocked to hear of his destitute and friendless condition. A letter from yourself was the only one containing an address to which I might write, and I therefore venture to make this communication, trusting to receive an early reply, as it will otherwise be necessary to remove him to some hospital, where he would receive the constant attendance he requires.

'I remain, Madam, your obedient Servant,
'JOHN ELTON.'

One shivering sigh was all that Miriam could give to regret, since she could only find relief in instant action. While Mr. Barlow was standing over the dining-room fire, cutting open the leaves of the Times,' she entered hurriedly to announce her intentions.

'I have just heard, Mr. Barlow, that my brother is very ill. He is alone in lodgings, and I must go and nurse him.'

'Would it not be expedient to wait for your uncle's sanction ?' said Mr. Barlow, not a little startled by her abruptness.

,

'No,' said Miriam ; he is my only brother-all I have in the world—I have a right to go to him.' "Your eagerness is natural, but I am not certain that your uncle and guardian would approve of your going into lodgings without some proper attendant, considering your youthful appearance.'