Nora replied only with tears and sobs, and vain repetitions of the words: "I cannot live without him, Hannah! I cannot live without him!" Alas, for weakness, willfulness, and passion! They, and not wise counsels, gained the day. Nora would not give up her lover; would not struggle with her love; but would have her own way. At length, in yielding a reluctant acquiesence, Hannah said: "I would never countenance this--never, Nora! but for one reason; it is that I know, whether I consent or not, you two, weak and willful and passionate as you are, will rush into this imprudent marriage all the same! And I think for your sake it had better take place with my sanction, and in my presence, than otherwise." Nora clasped her sister's neck and covered her face with kisses. "He means well by us, dear Hannah--indeed he does, bless him! So do not look so grave because we are going to be happy." Had Herman felt sure of his answer the next day? It really seemed so; for when he made his appearance at the cottage in the morning he brought the marriage license in his pocket and a peripatetic minister in his company. And before the astonished sisters had time to recover their self-possession Herman Brudenell's will had carried his purpose, and the marriage ceremony was performed. The minister then wrote out the certificate, which was signed by himself, and witnessed by Hannah, and handed it to the bride. "Now, dearest Nora," whispered the triumphant bridegroom, "I am happy, and you are safe!" But--were either of them really safe or happy? CHAPTER V. LOVE AND FATE. Amid the sylvan solitude Of unshorn grass and waving wood And waters glancing bright and fast, A softened voice was in her ear, Sweet as those lulling sounds and fine The hunter lifts his head to hear, Now far and faint, now full and near-- The murmur of the wood swept pine. A manly form was ever nigh, A bold, free hunter, with an eye Whose dark, keen glance had power to wake Both fear and love--to awe and charm. Faded the world that they had known, A poor vain shadow, cold and waste, In the warm present bliss alone Seemed they of actual life to taste. --_Whittier_. It was in the month of June they were married; when the sun shone with his brightest splendor; when the sky was of the clearest blue, when the grass was of the freshest green, the woods in their rudest foliage, the flowers in their richest bloom, and all nature in her most luxuriant life! Yes, June was their honeymoon; the forest shades their bridal halls, and birds and flowers and leaves and rills their train of attendants. For weeks they lived a kind of fairy life, wandering together through the depths of the valley forest, discovering through the illumination of their love new beauties and glories in the earth and sky; new sympathies with every form of life. Were ever suns so bright, skies so clear, and woods so green as theirs in this month of beauty, love, and joy!