From the time he became aware of the fact that Miriam had gone away with Burton for the purpose of becoming his wife, until ten o'clock at night, he was in an agony of suspense.

As the uncle could not be found at the office where he wrote, nor at the house where he boarded, it was concluded that he had reached the boat before its departure, and gone on with the fugitives in the train to New York.

Nothing was therefore left for the distressed family but to await his return.
How anxiously passed the hours! At tea time Edith only made her appearance.

Henry and his mother remained in the chamber of the latter.
As for the young man, he was cast down and distressed beyond measure, vexing his spirit with self-accusations that were but too well founded.
"Oh, mother!" said he, while they were alone, starting up from where he had been sitting with his face buried in his hands--"oh, mother! what evils have come through this opening of our house, for strangers to enter! Miriam, our sweet, gentle, pure-hearted Miriam, has been lured away by one of the worst of men; and!"-- the young man checked himself a moment or two, and then continued--"and I have been drawn away from right paths into those that lead to sure destruction.

Mother, I have been in great danger.