“I am too young, I fear, for that.  Too little skilled in the principles of music,” replied Miriam.

“If competent, would you object to teach?”

“Oh, no.  Most gladly would I enter upon the task, did it promise even a small return.  How happy would it make me if I could lighten, by my own labour, the burdens that press so heavily upon our mother!”

“And Edith.  How does she feel on this subject?”

“As I do.  Willing for any thing; ready for any change from our present condition.”

“Take courage, then, my dear child, take courage,” said the uncle, in a cheerful voice.  “There is light ahead.”

“Oh, how distressed my mother will be when she finds I am gone!” sighed Miriam, after a brief silence, in which her thoughts reverted to the fact of her absence from home.  “When can we get back again?”

“Not before ten o’clock to-night.  We must go on as far as Bristol, and then return by the evening line from New York.”

Another deep sigh heaved the troubled bosom of Miriam, as she uttered, in a low voice, speaking to herself—­

“My poor mother!  Her heart will be broken!”

CHAPTER X.

Meanwhile the hours passed with the mother, sister, and brother in the most agonizing suspense.  Henry, who had been drawn away into evil company by two young men who boarded in the house, was neglecting his studies, and pressing on towards speedy ruin.  To drinking and association with the vicious, he now added gaming.  Little did his mother dream of the perilous ways his feet were treading.  On this occasion he had come in, as has been seen, with a demand for ten dollars.  When he left home in the morning, it was in company with the young man named Barling.  Instead of his going to the office where he was studying, or his companion to his place of business, they went to a certain public house in Chestnut Street, where they first drank at the bar.

“Shall we go up into the billiard-room?” said Barling, as they turned from the white marble counter at which they had been drinking.

“I don’t care.  Have you time to play a game?” replied Henry.

“Oh, yes.  We’re not very busy at the store to-day.”

So the two young men ascended to the billiard-room, and spent a couple of hours there.  Both played very well, and were pretty equally matched.

From the billiard-room, they proceeded to another part of the house, more retired, and there, at the suggestion of Barling, tried a game at cards for a small stake.  Young Darlington was loser at first, but, after a time, regained his losses and made some advance on his fellow-player.  Hours passed in playing and drinking; and finally, Darlington, whose good fortune did not continue, parted with every sixpence.

“Lend me a dollar,” said he as the last game went against him.

The dollar was lent, and the playing renewed.  Thus it went on, hour after hour, neither of the young men stopping to eat any thing, though both drank too frequently.  At last, Darlington was ten dollars in debt to Barling, who, on being asked for another loan, declined any further advances.  Stung by the refusal, Henry said to him, rising as he spoke—­