"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: "Are you going with me, Hannah?"
"Surely, my child," said the elder sister, reaching her bonnet and
shawl.
The weather was intensely cold, and in going to Brudenell the sisters
had to face a fierce northwest wind. In walking through the valley they
were sheltered by the wood; but in climbing the hill upon the opposite
side they could scarcely keep their feet against the furious blast.