"Hannah--oh, my Lord! Hannah, you never mean to say that you won't marry
me?"

"I mean just that, Reuben."

"Oh, Hannah, what have I done to offend you? I never meant to do it! I
don't even know how I've done it! I'm such a blundering animal! But tell
me what it is, and I will beg your pardon!"

"It is nothing, you good, true heart! nothing! But you have two
sisters--"

"There, I knew it! It's Nancy and Peggy! They've been doing something to
hurt your feelings! Well, Hannah, they shall come here and ask your
forgiveness, or else they shall leave my home and go to earn their
living in somebody's kitchen! I've been a father to them gals; but I
won't suffer them to insult my own dear Hannah!" burst forth Reuben.

"Dear Reuben, you are totally mistaken! Your sisters no more than
yourself have ever given me the least cause of offense. They could not,
dear Reuben! They must be good girls, being your sisters."

"Well, if neither I nor my sisters have hurt your feelings, Hannah, what
in the name of sense did you mean by saying--I hate even to repeat the
words--that you won't marry me?"

"Reuben, reproach has fallen upon my name--undeserved, indeed, but not
the less severe. You have young, unmarried sisters, with nothing but
their good names to take them through the world. For their sakes, dear,
you must not marry me and my reproach!"

"Is that all you mean, Hannah?"

"All."

"Then I will marry you!"

"Reuben, you must give me up."

"I won't, I say! So there, now."

"Dear Reuben, I value your affection more than I do anything in this
world except duty; but I cannot permit you to sacrifice yourself to me,"
said Hannah, struggling hard to repress the sobs that were again rising
in her bosom.

"Hannah, I begin to think you want to drive me crazy or break my heart!
What sacrifice would it be for me to marry you and adopt that poor
child? The only sacrifice I can think of would be to give you up! But I
won't do it! no! I won't for nyther man nor mortal! You promised to
marry me, Hannah, and I won't free your promise! but I will keep you to
it, and marry you, if I die for it!" grimly persisted Reuben Gray.

And before she could reply they were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Come in!" said Hannah, expecting to see Mrs. Jones or some other humble
neighbor.

The door was pushed gently open, and a woman of exceeding beauty stood
upon the threshold.

Her slender but elegant form was clothed in the deepest