"Hannah, you are severe on me! Heaven knows I have never spoken one word
of love to Nora."

"'Never spoken one word!' What of that? What need of words? Are not
glances, are not tones, far more eloquent than words? With these glances
and tones you have a thousand times assured my young sister that you
love her, that you adore her, that you worship her!"

"Hannah, if my eyes spoke this language to Nora, they spoke Heaven's own
truth! There! I have told you more than I ever told her, for to her my
eyes only have spoken!" said the young man fervently.

"Of what were you talking with your heads so close together this
morning?" asked Hannah abruptly.

"How do I know? Of birds, of flowers, moonshine, or some such rubbish. I
was not heeding my words."

"No, your eyes were too busy! And now, Mr. Brudenell, I repeat my
question: Was yours a manly part--discoursing all this love to Nora, and
having no ultimate intentions?"

"Hannah, I never questioned my conscience upon that point; I was too
happy for such cross-examination."

"But now the question is forced upon you, Mr. Brudenell, and we must
have an answer now and here."

"Then, Hannah, I will answer truly! I love Nora; and if I were free to