The broken seal

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

Miriam was shown into her uncle’s counting-room just before dusk. He remained behind the desk and did not ask her to sit. “A letter came for you,” he said, drawing a folded sheet towards him with one finger. Then he asked whether she had expected news from Bristol. Miriam said no. The fire settled with a small collapse. Beside his sleeve lay an envelope addressed in Anna’s hand; its red seal had been broken.

Her uncle began again: family duty, foolish journeys, the ingratitude of daughters. Miriam looked at the empty chair, pulled it from the wall and sat down. “What has Anna written?” she asked. His hand closed over the sheet. Miriam made no attempt to take it. She waited. In the street, a cart struck the stones and the window shook; her uncle glanced towards the door. At last, he pushed the letter across the desk. Miriam placed both hands in her lap. The paper remained between them, opened by one and unread by the other.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to present the tension between Miriam and her uncle. Support your answer with references to the passage.