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." "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--" "Ay! Heaven send it!" "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?" "Nothing on earth, Paul!" "Nothing?" "No! so help me Heaven! Give way--let me go, Paul." "You must not go, Miriam." "I must and will--and that directly. Stand aside." "Then you shall not go." "Shall not?" "I said 'shall not.'" "Who will prevent me?" "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. Paul sprang forward and intercepted her. "What does this mean?" asked Mr. Willcoxen, stepping up to them.