Part 18 (2/2)

Good hath been born of Evil, many times, As pearls and precious ambergris are grown, Fruits of disease in pain and sickness sown, So think not to unravel, in thy thought, This mingled tissue, this mysterious plan, The Alchemy of Good through Evil wrought.

--_Tupper_.

”But one more day, Hannah! but one more day!” gayly exclaimed Nora Worth, as she busied herself in setting the room in order on Friday morning.

”Yes, but one more day in any event! For even if the weather should change in this uncertain season of the year, and a heavy fall of snow should stop Mrs. Brudenell's journey, that shall not prevent Mr.

Brudenell from acknowledging you as his wife on Sunday! for it is quite time this were done, in order to save your good name, which I will not have longer endangered!” said the elder sister, with grim determination.

And she spoke with good reason; it was time the secret marriage was made public, for the young wife was destined soon to become a mother.

”Now, do not use any of these threats to Herman, when he comes this morning, Hannah! Leave him alone; it will all be right,” said Nora, as she seated herself at her spinning-wheel.

Hannah was already seated at her loom; and there was but little more conversation between the sisters, for the whir of the wheel and the clatter of the loom would have drowned their voices, so that to begin talking, they must have stopped working.

Nora's caution to Hannah was needless; for the hours of the forenoon pa.s.sed away, and Herman did not appear.

”I wonder why he does not come?” inquired Nora, straining her eyes down the path for the thousandth time that day.

”Perhaps, Nora, the old lady has been blowing him up, also,” suggested the elder sister.

”No, no, no--that is not it! Because if she said a word to him about his acquaintance with me, and particularly if she were to speak to him of me as she spoke to me of myself, he would acknowledge me that moment, and come and fetch me home, sooner than have me wrongly accused for an instant. No, Hannah, I will tell you what it is: it is his mother's last day at home, and he is a.s.sisting her with her last preparations,” said Nora.

”It may be so,” replied her sister; and once more whir and clatter put a stop to conversation.

The afternoon drew on.

”It is strange he does not come!” sighed Nora, as she put aside her wheel, and went to mend the fire and hang on the kettle for their evening meal.

Hannah made no comment, but worked on; for she was in a hurry to finish the piece of cloth then in the loom; and so she diligently drove her shuttle until Nora had baked the biscuits, fried the fish, made the tea, set the table, and called her to supper.

”I suppose he has had a great deal to do, Hannah; but perhaps he may get over here later in the evening,” sighed Nora, as they took their seats at the table.

”I don't know, dear; but it is my opinion that the old lady, even if she is too artful to blow him up about you, will contrive to keep him busy as long as possible to prevent his coming.”

”Now, Hannah, I wish you wouldn't speak so disrespectfully of Herman's mother. If she tries to prevent him from coming to see me, it is because she thinks it her duty to do so, believing of me as badly as she does.”

”Yes! I do not know how you can breathe under such a suspicion! It would smother me!”

”I can bear it because I know it to be false, Hannah; and soon to be proved so! Only one day more, Hannah! only one day!” exclaimed Nora, gleefully clapping her hands.

They finished their supper, set the room in order, lighted the candle, and sat down to the knitting that was their usual evening occupation.

Their needles were clicking merrily, when suddenly, in the midst of their work, footsteps were heard outside.

”There he is now!” exclaimed Nora gayly, starting up to open the door.

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