Notwithstanding their lowly condition, the sisters were much esteemed for their integrity of character by their richer neighbors, who would have gladly made them more comfortable had not the proud spirit of Hannah shrunk from dependence.

They had been invited to the festival to be held at Brudenell Hall in honor of the young heir’s coming of age and entering upon his estates.

This gentlemen, Herman Brudenell, was their landlord; and it was as his tenants, and not by any means as his equals, that they had been bidden to the feast.  And now we will accompany them to the house of rejoicing.  They were now emerging from the valley and climbing the opposite hill.  Hannah walking steadily on in the calm enjoyment of nature, and Nora darting about like a young bird and caroling as she went in the effervescence of her delight.

CHAPTER II.

Love at first sight.

  Her sweet song died, and a vague unrest
  And a nameless longing filled her breast.

  —­Whittier.

The sisters had not seen their young landlord since he was a lad of ten years of age, at which epoch he had been sent to Europe to receive his education.  He had but recently been recalled home by his widowed mother, for the purpose of entering upon his estate and celebrating his majority in his patrimonial mansion by giving a dinner and ball in the house to all his kindred and friends, and a feast and dance in the barn to all his tenants and laborers.

It was said that his lady mother and his two young lady sisters, haughty and repellent women that they were, had objected to entertaining his dependents, but the young gentleman was resolved that they should enjoy themselves.  And he had his way.

Nora had no recollection whatever of Herman Brudenell, who had been taken to Europe while she was still a baby; so now, her curiosity being stimulated, she plied Hannah with a score of tiresome questions about him.

“Is he tall, Hannah, dear?  Is he very handsome?”

“How can I tell?  I have not seen him since he was ten years old.”

“But what is his complexion—­is he fair or dark? and what is the color of his hair and eyes?  Surely, you can tell that at least.”

“Yes; his complexion, as well as I can recollect it, was freckled, and his hair sandy, and his eyes green.”

“Oh-h! the horrid fright! a man to scare bad children into good behavior!  But then that was when he was but ten years old; he is twenty-one to-day; perhaps he is much improved.”

“Nora, our sheep have passed through here, and left some of their wool on the bushes.  Look at that little bird, it has found a flake and is bearing it off in triumph to line its little nest,” said Hannah, to change the subject.

“Oh, I don’t care about the bird; I wish you to tell me about the young gentleman!” said Nora petulantly, adding the question:  “I wonder who he’ll marry?”