h vices which your unkindness has helped to stain me
with. Driven from your presence, whom alone I cared to live for, what
marvel if I sought oblivion in the wine-cup and the dice-box? Give me
one chance, Miranda, to redeem myself. Let me call you wife, and you
will become my guardian angel, and save me from myself."

"You know that I love you, Philip," she replied, "and willingly would I
share your destiny, hoping to win you from evil. Go with me to Richmond.
We will speak with Beverly, who is kind and truly loves me. We will
convince him of your good purposes, and will win his consent to our
union."

"No, Miranda; Beverly and your friends in Richmond will never believe me
worthy of you. Besides, it would be dangerous for me to visit Richmond.
I have identified myself with the Northern cause, and although, for your
sake, I might refrain from bearing arms against Virginia, yet I have
little sympathy with any there, where I have been branded as a drunkard
and a gambler."

"Yet, Philip, is it not the land of your birth--the home of your
boyhood?"

"The land of my shame and humiliation. No Miranda, I will not return to
Virginia. And if you love me, you will not return. What are these
senseless quarrels to us? We can be happy in each other's love, and
forget that madmen are at war around us. Why will you not trust me,
Miranda--why do you thus withhold from me my only hope of redemption
from the terrible vice that is killing me? I put my destiny, my very
life in your keeping, and you hesitate to accept the trust that alone
can save me. Oh, Miranda! you do not love me."

"Philip, I cannot renounce my friends, my dear country, the home of my
childhood."

"Then look you what will be my fate: I will join the armies of the
North, and fling away my life in battle against my native soil. Ruin and
death cannot come too soon when you forsake me."

Miranda remained silent, but, through the gloom of the recess, he could
see the glistening of a tear upon her cheek.

The hall-bell rang, and the servant brought in a card for Miss Ayleff.
Following it, Arthur Wayne was ushered into the room.

She rose to receive him, somewhat surprised at a visit from a stranger.

"I have brought these letters for you from my good friend Beverly
Weems," said Arthur. "At his request, I have ventured to call in person,
most happy, if you will forgive the presumption, in the opportunity."

She gave her hand, and welcomed him gracefully and warmly