Now I repeat my question, 'What are your intentions towards Nora
Worth?'"

Herman Brudenell was blushing now, if he had never blushed before; his
very brow was crimson. Hannah had to reiterate her question before his
hesitating tongue could answer it.

"My intentions, Hannah? Nothing wrong, I do swear to you! Heaven knows,
I mean no harm."

"I believe that, Mr. Brudenell! I have always believed it, else be sure
that I should have found means to compel your absence. But though you
might have meant no harm, did you mean any good, Mr. Brudenell?"

"Hannah, I fear that I meant nothing but to enjoy the great pleasure I
derived from--from--Nora's society, and--"

"Stop there, Mr. Brudenell; do not add--mine; for that would be an
insincerity unworthy of you! Of me you did not think, except as a
marplot! You say you came for the great pleasure you enjoyed in Nora's
society! Did it ever occur to you that she might learn to take too much
pleasure in yours? Answer me truly."

"Hannah, yes, I believed that she was very happy in my company."

"In a word, you liked her, and you knew you were winning her liking! And
yet you had no intentions of any sort, you say; you meant nothing, you
admit, but to enjoy yourself! How, Mr. Brudenell, do you think it a
manly part for a gentleman to seek to win a poor girl's love merely for
his pastime?"