“Yes, you have said truly,” replied Miriam; “my mother is in great trouble.  Ah! what would I not do for her relief?”

“Ask for your mother what you will, Miriam,” said Burton.

The maiden’s eyes were upon the floor, and the rapid heaving of her bosom showed that her thoughts were busy in earnest debate.  At length, looking up, she said—­

“Will you lift her out of her present embarrassed position, and settle upon her an income sufficient for herself and family?”

“I will,” was the prompt answer.  “And now, my dear Miriam, name the sum you wish her to receive.”

Another long silence followed.

“Ah, sir!” at length said the maiden, “in what a strange, humiliating position am I placed!”

“Do not speak thus, Miriam.  I understand all better than words can utter it.  Will an income of two thousand dollars a year suffice?”

“It is more than I could ask.”

“Enough.  The moment you are mine, that sum will be settled on your mother.”

Miriam arose up quickly, as Burton said this, murmuring—­

“Let me have a few days for reflection,” and, ere he could prevent her, glided from the room.

CHAPTER VIII.

Two weeks more went by, and the pressure upon Mrs. Darlington was heavier and heavier.  Her income was below her table expenses and servant-hire, and all her reserve fund being exhausted, she felt the extremity of her circumstances more than at any time before.  To bear longer the extra weight of poor, deserted Mrs. Marion and her two children was felt to be impossible.  With painful reluctance did Mrs. Darlington slowly make up her mind to say to Mrs. Marion that she must seek another home; and for this purpose she one day waited upon her in her room.  As tenderly and as delicately as possible did she approach the subject.  A word or two only had she said, when Mrs. Marion, with tears upon her face, replied,—­

“Pardon me that I have so long remained a burden upon you.  Had I known where to go, or what to do, I would not have added my weight to the heavy ones you have had to bear.  Daily have I lived in hope that my husband would return.  But my heart is sick with hope deferred.  It is time now that I began the work of self-dependence.”

“Where can you go?” asked Mrs. Darlington.

“I know not,” sadly returned Mrs. Marion.  “My only relative is a poor aunt, with scarcely the ability to support herself.  But I will see her to-day.  Perhaps she can advise me what to do.”