"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.