"Why, yes! now that it draws so near. There is not much that can happen

between this and Sunday to prevent it. I said it was only three

days--but in fact it is only two, for this is Thursday evening, and he

will take us home on Sunday morning; so you see there is only two whole

days--Friday and Saturday--between this and that!"

"And how do you feel about this great change of fortune? Are you still

frightened, though no longer unbelieving?"

"No, indeed!" replied Nora, glancing up at the little looking-glass that

hung immediately opposite to her wheel; "if I have pleased Herman, who

is so fastidious, it is not likely that. I should disgust others. And

mind this, too: I pleased Herman in my homespun gown, and when I meet

his friends at Brudenell Hall, I shall have all the advantages of

splendid dress. No, Hannah, I am no longer incredulous or frightened.

And if ever, when sitting at the head of his table when there is a

dinner party, my heart should begin to fail me, I will say to myself: 'I

pleased Herman--the noblest of you all,' and then I know my courage will

return. But, Hannah, won't people be astonished when they find out that

I, poor Nora Worth, am really and truly Mrs. Herman Brudenell! What will

they say? What will old Mrs. Jones say? And oh! what will the Miss

Mervins say? I should like to see their faces when they hear it! for you

know it is reported that Colonel Mervin is to marry Miss Brudenell, and

that the two Miss Mervins are secretly pulling caps who shall take

Herman! Poor young ladies! won't they be dumfounded when they find out

that poor Nora Worth has had him all this time! I wonder how long it

will take them to get over the mortification, and also whether they will

call to see me. Do you think they will, Hannah?"

"I do not know, my dear. The Mervins hold their heads very high,"

replied the sober elder sister.

"Do they! Well, I fancy they have not much right to hold their heads

much higher than the Brudenells of Brudenell Hall hold theirs. Hannah,

do you happen to know who our first ancestor was?"

"Adam, my dear, I believe.'' "Nonsense, Hannah; I do not mean the first father of all mankind--I mean

the head of our house."

"Our house? Indeed, my dear, I don't even know who our grandfather was."

"Fudge, Hannah, I am not talking of the Worths, who of course have no

history. I am talking of our family--the Brudenells!"




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