"Oh, poor little fellow, how feeble he looks! Hannah, it seems such a
pity that all the plans I formed for his future welfare should be lost
because he is not what I supposed him to be; it seems hard that the
revelation which has made me happy should make him unfortunate; or,
rather, that it should prevent his good fortune! And it shall not do so
entirely. It is true, I cannot now adopt him,--the child of a
stranger,--and take him home and rear him as my own, as I should have
done had he been what I fancied him to be. Because it might not be
right, you know, and my husband might not approve it. And, oh, Hannah, I
have grown so timid lately that I dread, I dread more than you can
imagine, to do anything that he might not like. Not that he is a
domestic tyrant either. You have lived on his estate long enough to know
that Herman Brudenell is all that is good and kind. But then you see I
am all wrong--and always was so. Everything I do is ill done--and always
so. It is all my own fault, and I must try to amend it, if ever I am to
hope for happiness. So I must not do anything unless I am sure that it
will not displease him, therefore I must not take this child of a
stranger home, and rear him as my own. But I will do all that I can for
him here. At present his little wants are all physical. Take this purse,
dear woman, and make him as comfortable as you can. I think he ought to
have medical attendance; procure it for him; get everything he needs;
and when the purse is empty bring it to me to be replenished. So much
for the present. If he lives I will pay for his schooling, and see that
he is apprenticed to some good master to learn a trade."
And with these words the countess held out a well-filled purse to
Hannah.
With a deep blush Hannah shook her head and put the offered bounty back,
saying: "No, my lady, no. Nora's child must not become the object of your
charity. It will not do. My nephew's wants are few, and will not be felt
long; I can supply them all while he lives, I thank you all the same,
madam."
Berenice looked seriously disappointed. Again she pressed her bounty
upon Hannah, saying: "I do not really think you are right to refuse assistance that is
proffered to this poor child."