her, and she'd stop home and break her heart. Hannah, love is like a
fire, easy to put out in the beginning, unpossible at the end. You just
better let me go and heave a bucket of water on to that there love while
it is a-kindling and before the blaze breaks out."

"Go then, good Reuben, and tell Nora that I am going home and wish her
to come to me at once."

Reuben arose to obey, but was interrupted by the appearance of a negro
footman from the house, who came up to him and said:

"Mr. Reuben, de mistess say will you say to de young marster how de
gemmen an' ladies is all arrive, an' de dinner will be sarve in ten
minutes, an' how she 'sires his presence at de house immediate."

"Certainly, John! This is better, Hannah, than my interference would
have been," said Reuben Gray, as he hurried off to execute his mission.

So completely absorbed in each other's conversation were the young pair
that they did not observe Reuben's approach until he stood before them,
and, touching his forehead, said respectfully:

"Sir, Madam Brudenell has sent word as the vis'ters be all arrived at
the house, and the dinner will be ready in ten minutes, so she wishes
you, if you please, to come directly."

"So late!" exclaimed the young man, looking at his watch, and starting
up, "how time flies in some society! Nora, I will conduct you to your
sister, and then go and welcome our guests at the house; although I had
a great deal rather stay where I am," he added, in a whisper.