ently took the arm of Hannah to return home.

The elder sister asked no question. And when they had left the house
their walk was as silent as their departure had been. It required all
their attention to hold their course through the darkness of the night,
the intensity of the cold and the fury of the wind. It was not until
they had reached the shelter of their poor hut, drawn the fire-brands
together and sat down before the cheerful blaze, that Nora threw herself
sobbing into the arms of her sister.

Hannah gathered her child closer to her heart and caressed her in
silence until her fit of sobbing had exhausted itself, and then she
inquired:

"What did Mrs. Brudenell want with you, dear?"

"Oh, Hannah, she had heard of Herman's visits here! She questioned and
cross-questioned me. I would not admit anything, but then I could not
deny anything either. I could give her no satisfaction, because you know
my tongue was tied by my promise. Then, she suspected me of being a bad
girl. And she cross-questioned me more severely than ever. Still I could
give her no satisfaction. And her suspicions seemed to be confirmed. And
she looked at me--oh! with such terrible eyes, that they seemed to burn
me up. I know, not only my poor face, but the very tips of my ears
seemed on fire. And suddenly she snatched my shawl off me, and oh! if
her look was terrible before, it was consuming now! Hannah, I seemed to
shrivel all up in the glare of that look, like some poor worm in the
flame!" gasped Nora, with a spasmodic catch of her breath, as she once
more clung to the neck of her sister.

"What next?" curtly inquired Hannah.

"She rang the bell and ordered Jovial to 'put this vile creature
(meaning me) out'; and if ever I dared to show my face on the premises
again, to send for a constable to take me up."

"The insolent woman!" exclaimed the elder sister, with a burst of very
natural indignation. "She will have you taken up by a constable if ever
you show your face there again, will he? We'll see that! I shall tell
Herman Brudenell all about it to-morrow as soon as he comes! He must not
wait until his another goes to Washington! He must acknowledge you as
his wife immediately. To-morrow morning he must take you up and
introduce you as such to his mother. If there is to be an explosion, let
it come! The lady must be taught to know who it is that she has branded
with ill names, driven from the house and threatened with a constable!
She m