"Ah, I do not know! I have just left his study, dear Miriam, where I have had a long and serious conversation with him."
"And what was it about? May I know?"
"You must know, dearest Miriam, it concerned yourself and—me!" said Paul, and he took a seat by her side, and told her how much he loved her, and that he had Thurston's consent to asking her hand in marriage.
Miriam replied:
"Paul, there is one secret that I have never imparted to you—not that I wished to keep it from you, but that nothing has occurred to call it out—"
She paused, while Paul regarded her in much curiosity.
"What is it, Miriam?" he at last inquired.
"I promised my dying mother, and sealed the promise with an oath, never to be a bride until I shall have been—"
"What, Miriam?"
"An avenger of blood!"