"This is what I have to say to you, dear, dearest, best loved Reuben! I feel your goodness in the very depths of my heart; I thank you with all my soul; I will love you--you only--in silence and in solitude all my life; I will pray for you daily and nightly; but--" She stopped and sobbed. "But--" said Reuben breathlessly. "I will never carry myself and my dishonor under your honest roof." Reuben caught his suspended breath with a sharp gasp and gazed in blank dismay upon the sobbing woman for a few minutes, and then he said: "Hannah--oh, my Lord! Hannah, you never mean to say that you won't marry me?" "I mean just that, Reuben." "Oh, Hannah, what have I done to offend you? I never meant to do it! I don't even know how I've done it! I'm such a blundering animal! But tell me what it is, and I will beg your pardon!" "It is nothing, you good, true heart! nothing! But you have two sisters--" "There, I knew it! It's Nancy and Peggy! They've been doing something to hurt your feelings! Well, Hannah, they shall come here and ask your forgiveness, or else they shall leave my home and go to earn their living in somebody's kitchen! I've been a father to them gals; but I won't suffer them to insult my own dear Hannah!" burst forth Reuben. "Dear Reuben, you are totally mistaken! Your sisters no more than yourself have ever given me the least cause of offense. They could not, dear Reuben! They must be good girls, being your sisters." "Well, if neither I nor my sisters have hurt your feelings, Hannah, what in the name of sense did you mean by saying--I hate even to repeat the words--that you won't marry me?" "Reuben, reproach has fallen upon my name--undeserved, indeed, but not the less severe. You have young, unmarried sisters, with nothing but their good names to take them through the world. For their sakes, dear, you must not marry me and my reproach!" "Is that all you mean, Hannah?" "All." "Then I will marry you!" "Reuben, you must give me up." "I won't, I say! So there, now." "Dear Reuben, I value your affection more than I do anything in this world except duty; but I cannot permit you to sacrifice yourself to me," said Hannah, struggling hard to repress the sobs that were again rising in her bosom. "Hannah, I begin to think you want to drive me crazy or break my heart! What sacrifice would it be for me to marry you and adopt that poor child? The only sacrifice I can think of would be to give you up! But I won't do it! no! I won't for nyther man nor mortal! You promised to marry me, Hannah, and I won't free your promise! but I will keep you to it, and marry you, if I die for it!" grimly persisted Reuben Gray. And before she could reply they were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in!" said Hannah, expecting to see Mrs. Jones or some other humble neighbor. The door was pushed gently open, and a woman of exceeding beauty stood upon the threshold.