"Reuben, Nora was married to the father of her child. He loved her dearly, and meant her well. You must believe this, for it is as true as Heaven!" said Hannah solemnly.
Reuben pricked up his ears; perhaps he was not sorry to be entirely relieved from the temptation of killing and the danger of hanging.
And Hannah gave him as satisfactory an explanation of Nora's case as she could give, without breaking her promise and betraying Herman Brudenell as the partner of Nora's misfortunes.
At the close of her narrative Reuben Gray took her hand, and holding it, said gravely:
"Well, my dear girl, I suppose the affair must rest where it is for the present. But this makes one thing incumbent upon us." And having said this, Reuben hesitated so long that Hannah took up the word and asked:
"This makes what incumbent upon us, lad?"
"To get married right away!" blurted out the man.
"Pray, have you come into a fortune, Reuben?" inquired Hannah coolly.
"No, child, but—"
"Neither have I," interrupted Hannah.