marry, I would make her my wife to-morrow; but I am not; therefore I
have been wrong, and very wrong, to seek her society. I acted, however,
from want of thought, not from want of principle; I hope you will
believe that, Hannah."

"I do believe it, Mr. Brudenell."

"And now I put myself in your hands, Hannah! Direct me as you think
best; I will obey you. What shall I do?"

"See Nora no more; from this day absent yourself from our house."

He turned pale as death, reeled, and supported himself against the trunk
of a friendly tree.

Hannah looked at him, and from the bottom of her heart she pitied him;
for she knew what love was--loving Reuben.

"Mr. Brudenell," she said, "do not take this to heart so much: why
should you, indeed, when you know that your fate is in your own hands?
You are master of your own destiny, and no man who is so should give way
to despondency. The alternative before you is simply this: to cease to
visit Nora, or to marry her. To do the first you must sacrifice your
love, to do the last you must sacrifice your pride. Now choose between
the courses of action! Gratify your love or your pride, as you see fit,
and cheerfully pay down the price! This seems to me to be the only
manly, the only rational, course."

"Oh, Hannah, Hannah, you do not understand! you do not!" he cried in a
voice full of anguish.