She might accept the offer, on condition of his settling an income upon her mother.
This the tempter whispered in her ears, and she hearkened, in exquisite pain, to the suggestion.
When Edith awoke on the next morning, Miriam slept soundly by her side; but Edith, observed that her face was pale and troubled, and that tears were on her cheeks.

At breakfast time, she did not appear at the table; and when her mother sent to her room she returned for answer that she was not very well.

The whole of the day she spent in her chamber, and, during all the time, was struggling against the instinctive repulsion felt towards the man who had made her an offer of marriage.
At supper time, she reappeared at the table with a calm, yet sad face.
As she was passing from the dining room after tea, Burton came to her side and whispered-- "Can I have a word with you in the parlour, Miriam ?" The young girl neither looked up nor spoke, but moved along by his side, and descended with him to the parlour, where they were alone.
"Miriam," said Burton, as he placed himself by her side on the sofa, "have you thought seriously of what I said last evening?
Can you reciprocate the ardent sentiments I expressed ?" "Oh, sir!" returned Miriam, looking up artlessly in his face, "I am too young to listen to words like these." "You are a woman, Miriam," replied Burton, earnestly--"a lovely woman, with a heart overflowing with pure affections.

Deeply have you interested my feelings from the first; and now I ask you to be mine.

As I was going to say last evening, I am rich, and will surround you with every comfort and elegance that money can obtain.