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?"

"Not you, my dear; so you had better not occupy your mind with him,"

Hannah replied very gravely.

Nora laughed outright. "Oh, I'm quite aware of that; and as for me, I

would not marry a prince, if he had red hair and a freckled face; but

still one cannot help thinking of one's landlord, when one is going to

attend the celebration of his birthday."




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