Even though she spoke with great difficulty, Hannah did not answer until she repeated the question.
Then with a sob and a gulp the elder sister said:
"Keep silence, and let people reproach your memory, Nora? How can I do that?"
"Can reproach reach me—there?" she asked, raising her hand towards heaven.
"But your child, Nora; for his sake his mother's memory should be vindicated!"
"At the expense of making his father out a felon? No, Hannah, no; people will soon forget he ever had a mother. He will only be known as Hannah Worth's nephew, and she is everywhere respected. Promise me, Hannah."
"Nora, I dare not."
"Sister, I am dying; you cannot refuse the prayer of the dying."
Hannah was silent.
"Promise me! promise me! promise me! while my ears can yet take in your voice!" Nora's words fell fainter and fainter; she was failing fast.