Burton saw that they were observed, and, bending towards Mr.
Ellis, said-- "This, sir, is no place for a scene.

A hundred eyes will soon be upon us." "More than one pair of which," replied Mr.Ellis, promptly, "will recognise in you a noted gambler, who has at least one wife living, if no more." As if stung by a serpent, Burton started to his feet and retired from the cabin.
"Oh, uncle! can what you say of this man be true ?" asked Miriam, with a blanching face.
"Too true, my dear child! too true! He is one of the worst of men.
Thank God that you have escaped the snare of the fowler!" "Yes, thank God! thank God!" came trembling from the lips of the maiden.
Mr.Ellis then drew his niece to a part of the cabin where they could converse without being overheard by other passengers on board of the boat.

To his inquiry into the reasons for so rash an act, Miriam gave her uncle an undisguised account of her mother's distressed condition, and touchingly portrayed the anguish of mind which had accompanied her reluctant assent to the offer of Burton.
"And all this great sacrifice was on your mother's account ?" said Mr.
Ellis.
"All! all! He agreed to settle upon her the sum of two thousand dollars a year, if I would become his wife.

This would have made the family comfortable." "And you most wretched.

Better, a thousand times better, have gone down to your grave, Miriam, than become the wife of that man.