“Yes, miss; I wish I could, for I am pretty nearly run offen my feet,” Jem agreed.  “But what I was wishing to say to you, miss,” he added, “was that the madam sent me here with a message to you.”

“Who sent a message, Jem?”

“The madam up yonder, miss.”

“Oh! you mean Mrs. Brudenell!  It was to Hannah, I suppose, in relation to work,” said Nora.

“Yes, miss; but this time it was not to Miss Hannah; it was to you, Miss Nora.  ’Go up to the hut on the hill, and request Nora Worth to come up to see me this evening.  I wish to have a talk with her?’ Such were the madam’s words, Miss Nora.”

“Oh, Hannah!” breathed Nora, in terror.

“What can she want with my sister?” inquired Hannah.

“Well, yes, miss.  She didn’t say any further.  And now, ladies, as I have declared my message, I must bid you good evening; as they expects me round to old uncle Jem Brown’s to watch to-night.”  And with a deep bow the professor retired.

“Oh, Hannah!” wailed Nora, hiding her head in her sister’s bosom.

“Well, my dear, what is the matter?”

“I am so frightened.”

“What at?”

“The thoughts of Mrs. Brudenell!”

“Then don’t go.  You are not a slave to be at that lady’s beck and call, I reckon!”

“Yes, but I am Herman’s wife and her daughter, and I will not slight her request!  I will go, Hannah, though I had rather plunge into ice water this freezing weather than meet that proud lady!” said Nora, shivering.

“Child, you need not do so!  You are not bound!  You owe no duty to Mrs. Brudenell, until Mr. Brudenell has acknowledged you as his wife and Mrs. Brudenell as her daughter.”

“Hannah, it may be so; yet she is my mother-in-law, being dear Herman’s mother; and though I am frightened at the thought of meeting her, still I love her; I do, indeed, Hannah! and my heart longs for her love!  Therefore I must not begin by disregarding her requests.  I will go!  But oh, Hannah! what can she want with me?  Do you think it possible that she has heard anything?  Oh, suppose she were to say anything to me about Herman?  What should I do!” cried Nora, her teeth fairly chattering with nervousness.

“Don’t go, I say; you are cold and trembling with fear; it is also after sunset, too late for you to go out alone.”

“Yes; but, Hannah, I must go!  I am not afraid of the night!  I am afraid of her!  But if you do not think it well for me to go alone, you can go with me, you know.  There will be no harm in that, I suppose?”

“It is a pity Herman had not stayed a little longer, we might have asked him; I do not think he would have been in favor of your going.”

“I do not know; but, as there is no chance of consulting him, I must do what I think right in the case and obey his mother,” said Nora, rising from her position in Hannah’s lap and going to make some change in her simple dress.  When she was ready she asked: