waking dreams with visions of lawsuits; and his dreams by night were of the same texture. His aversion to Grimshaw was none the less because his image was always associated with a long perspective of writs and attachments, and ruinous proceedings at law, which were conjured up, unbidden, to his fancy, whether waking or sleeping.

Matters went on much in the same way, day after day, until the Grampus was ready for sea, and on the eve of departure; but Jethro was always filled with distrust in the presence of Grimshaw, and received his advances towards intimacy with shyness. Ruth made no concealment of her dislike, and repulsed his overtures to better acquaintance with an open honesty bordering upon rudeness. But Grimshaw bore it all with Christian fortitude and resignation. Week after week, duly as Saturday came, he planked his two silver crowns to Miriam, under pretence of discharging the cost of his entertainment; but it was observed that he always made his payments rather ostentatiously in presence of Jethro or Ruth, and he thus acquired with the former a character for independence and ability to pay his way, which half-reconciled him to his visiter. But Ruth, whose suspicions were excited by several trivial occurrences, such as an unaccountable increase in the wardrobe of Grimshaw, and an appropriation of some of the best hose and neckcloths of her father to his use, did not hesitate to doubt the profundity of his purse; and, in spite of her mother's deep-laid plans, she set herself to scrutinize his weekly payments. Her doubts, as to his pecuniary ability and of her mother's disinterestedness, were entirely put at rest, when she saw a silver crown of peculiar identity paid over for the second time to her mother by Grimshaw. The nicking of the edge betrayed the unfortunate coin, which on the preceding week had been deposited in the pocket of Miriam; and, before it had well got warm in its nest, had been refunded privately to the briefless lawyer, to perform the same ser

vice over again on the coming Saturday evening. Jethro did not discover the cheat of the transfer of his own property, and the nicked crown-piece escaped the notice of Miriam, who was intent only on the outward means of keeping up appearances, and satisfying her husband of the honourable conduct of Grimshaw. Ruth, however, marked the circumstance, trivial as it was, and treasured up the discovery to be used thereafter, as occasion might require.

Miriam had her long cherished designs to carry out, and she found it necessary to consult a legal adviser. Grimshaw had come opportunely to her aid; and in order to avail herself of his exclusive services, inasmuch as he was the only lawyer then likely to take up his abode upon Nantucket, she was determined to secure him at any reasonable cost, and thought the tax a cheap one which attached him to her fortunes, for no other compensation than entertainment at her house, and a small pecuniary supply. In return for these favours, which consorted well with the indolent propensities of 'Squire Grimshaw, he was not slow in giving his advice whenever asked, and in time ingratiated himself securely in the confidence of Miriam.

"It is now time," said Miriam to Grimshaw, while they were sitting together of an afternoon in the parlour, "it is now time that thou shouldst give me a substantial cast of thy profession. Thou knowest that my husband will shortly sail in the new ship for the mother-country, and that the duration of his absence will be uncertain. He has as yet spoken nothing of his intention to appoint an agent at home, to manage his affairs while he is abroad; and, though I doubt not that his eye will natu rally turn to me for counsel, and, perhaps, the sole management of his business may be placed in my hands, yet I am anxious that no stranger shall be nominated to share in the labour. I would be uncontrolled in this matter; in short, I am determined to be left the free and

untrammelled disposer of his means. I have set my heart upon it, Grimshaw; and I must be clothed with

written authority that none may gainsay. And now that thou knowest my wishes, I desire thee to contrive a method by which I may maintain the undisputed ordering of his affairs the while."

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What, Mrs. Coffin !" exclaimed Grimshaw, in surprise, "do you feel yourself, woman as you are, equal to the task of fitting out his ships and superintending the details of his trade?"

“Do I, indeed! Let me but obtain the command I covet, and thou shalt see," answered Miriam, with an air of self-confidence that set the question at rest.

"If thou hast well resolved upon it," replied Grimshaw, after turning the question in his mind, "I know of but one way to secure authority in the premises that shall not be questioned in the law."

"Name it," said Miriam.

"If your husband could be brought to execute a letter of attorney, such as I will prepare, your design will be accomplished."

"About it straight!" rejoined Miriam; "and do thou make it binding to the uttermost power of words. If thou doest this well, thou mayst name thy reward.”

"I would that I might name a reward," answered Grimshaw, with some hesitation, "which you would find it as free to bestow, and as easy of accomplishment, as the draft of a perfect power of attorney will be from my pen."

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Speak it!" said she ; "thou wilt not name a thing

unreasonable ?"

"It is the hand of thy daughter!" said Grimshaw. He watched the countenance of Miriam as he spoke the words. The effect was electric. She raised her eyes to his face in astonishment, and returned the look of her companion with a long gaze.

"Art thou in earnest ?" demanded she, after a pause. "I am."

"Thou throwest for a high prize," returned Miriam ; "but it may not, perchance, be easily won.

Thou

canst not be serious in thy demand, surely! The extreme youth of my daughter will scarcely admit of the thought. She hath but just turned her sixteenth year, and I fear much that her wayward and girlish fancy cannot be secured for thee."

"Time, Mrs. Coffin, and patient assiduity will, I hope, accomplish what I most ardently desire. Give me but your consent to try the experiment, together with your good word of recommendation opportunely poured into her ear, and I will trust the result to future fulfilment."

"I confess that I am doubtful of the issue; but I give thee leave to undertake the conquest for thyself: nay, if thou dost wish it, thy endeavours shall not lack for my friendly countenance. But set about thy task,

for it will not brook delay. Produce the written instrument which shall delegate to me the power I seek; and this very night, if success attend my design with Jethro, I will strive to do thee good service with Ruth."

Miriam motioned with her hand to cut short further conversation; and Grimshaw, elated at his unlooked-for good fortune, retired to frame the legal paper.

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"And now," said Miriam, as Grimshaw disappeared, now are my resolves taken: my purpose shall not be turned aside for small obstacles. The time has arrived; I have set my fortune upon a cast; and, spite of womanish fears, and what men call womanly propriety, I will run the hazard of the undertaking. I have waited long and anxiously for an opportunity such as this, to throw off the shackles which have bound me to duties with which other women are content. But what," continued she, "what will the generations that come after me say to my bold conduct? No matter what! womanhood, however, shall not be a reproach to my descendants, but my example shall be one for imitation rather. Must we, because we are women, for ever be confined to the distaff and the spinning-wheel-to the nursery and the kitchen? Pshaw! I will assume such a front and presence as may become a woman with a masculine spirit. Men shall point to me, and cry out

My

as I pass, That is Miriam-Miriam Coffin !'-and children shall remember my greatness, and hand down the record of my actions to their latest posterity. I will be remembered for ever upon the island of Nantucket; and the race of the Folgers, from which I sprung, shall be proud to name me as their kin. Thus far have I

been wary, and have obtained, by every means that assumes to the eyes of men a natural shape, a strong ascendency over the mind of my husband. My counsel, kindly asked, and disinterestedly given, has thus far helped to swell the fortune of Jethro, until but few in the colony may compete with him in extent of possessions. But I would be second to none; and it will be a miracle if I am not shortly the first in the colony in power, and in wealth and magnificence. Power is consequent upon wealth; then wealth must be sought by every channel, until it flows in constant and unremitting streams into my coffers. Let me but be firmly seated in the saddle, and I will ride such a race as shall make men-ay, the boasting men-stare with unfeigned wonder !"

Here Grimshaw entered, and handed his draft of the power of attorney to Miriam. Her previous train of thought had given a loftiness to her manner, and she reached out her hand to take the paper much in the way of a minister of state, full of his ideas of greatness, when he receives despatches from his drudging underclerk, to approve and to sanction them by his signature.

"It is well!" said she, casting her eyes over the contents, which were formally expressed, and gave her unlimited control over the estate and affairs of her husband. "Take it back, and make a fair copy; and be sure thou forgettest not the seal. It is a fast-binding appendage, and may not be omitted.

Do thou have it

ready, when I give the word to produce it, for the signmanual of Jethro."

Evening came. It was the evening previous to the contemplated departure of Jethro Coffin; and his family VOL. II.--B