"You have not endorsed for anyone, nor gambled, nor drank, nor anything
of that sort, and yet you are ruined!"

"Ruined and wretched, Hannah! I do not exaggerate in saying so!"

"And yet you looked so happy!"

"Grasses grow and flowers bloom above burning volcanoes, Hannah."

"Ah, Mr. Brudenell, what is the nature of this ruin then? Tell me! I am
your sincere friend, and I am older than you; perhaps I could counsel
you."

"It is past counsel, Hannah."

"What is it then?"

"I cannot tell you except this! that the fatality of which I speak is
the only reason why I do not overstep the boundary of conventional rank
and marry Nora! Why I do not marry anybody! Hush! here we are at the
house."

Very stately and beautiful looked the mansion with its walls of white
free-stone and its porticos of white marble, gleaming through its groves
upon the top of the hill.

When they reached it Hannah turned to go around to the servants' door,
but Mr. Brudenell called to her, saying: