"It means that she is mad, and will do herself or somebody else much mischief," cried Paul, sharply. "For shame, Paul! Release her instantly," said Thurston, authoritatively. "Would you release a lunatic, bent upon setting the house on fire?" expostulated the young man, still holding her. "She is no lunatic; let her go instantly, sir." Paul, with a groan, complied. Miriam hastened onward, cast one look of anguish back to Thurston's face, rushed back, and threw herself upon her knees at his feet, clasped his hands, and cried: "I do not ask you to pardon me--I dare not! But God deliver you! if it brand me and my accusation with infamy! and God forever bless you!" Then rising, she fled from the room. The brothers looked at each other. "Thurston, do you know where she has gone? what she intends to do?" "Yes." "You do?" "Assuredly." "And you would not prevent her?" "Most certainly not." Paul was gazing into his brother's eyes, and, as he gazed, every vestige of doubt and suspicion vanished from his mind; it was like the sudden clearing up of the sky, and shining forth of the sun; he grasped his brother's hands with cordial joy. "God bless you, Thurston! I echo her prayer. God forever bless you! But, Thurston, would it not have been wiser to prevent her going out?" "How? Would you have used force with Miriam--restrained her personal liberty?" "Yes! I would have done so!" "That would have been not only wrong, but useless; for if her strong affections for us were powerless to restrain her, be sure that physical means would fail; she would make herself heard in some way, and thus make our cause much worse. Besides, I should loathe, for myself, to resort to any such expedients." "But she may do so much harm. And you?" "I am prepared to meet what comes!" "Strange infatuation! that she should believe you to be--I will not wrong you by finishing the sentence." "She does not at heart believe me guilty--her mind is in a storm. She is bound by her oath to act upon the evidence rather than upon her own feelings, and that evidence is much stronger against me, Paul, than you have any idea of. Come into my study, and I will tell you the whole story." And Paul followed him thither. CHAPTER XXXIV. UPON CHARGE OF MURDER.