While Nora gazed breathlessly upon this pretty creature, whom she
recognized at once as the stranger, Mrs. Brudenell slowly raised her
head and stared at Nora.
"You here, Nora Worth! How dare you? Who had the insolence to let you
in?" she said, rising and advancing to the bell-cord. But before she
could pull it Nora Worth lifted her hand with that commanding power
despair often lends to the humblest, and said: "Stop, madam, this is no time to heap unmerited scorn upon one crushed
to the dust already, and whose life cannot possibly offend you or cumber
the earth much longer. I wish to speak to that lady."
"With me!" exclaimed Lady Hurstmonceux, rising upon her elbow and gazing
with curiosity upon the beautiful statue that was gliding toward her as
if it were moved by invisible means.
Mrs. Brudenell paused with her hand upon the bell-tassel and looked at
Nora, whose lovely face seemed to have been thus turned to stone in some
moment of mortal suffering, so agonized and yet so still it looked! Her
hair had fallen loose and hung in long, wet, black strings about her
white bare neck, for she had neither shawl nor bonnet; her clothes were
soaked with the melted snow, and she had lost one shoe in her wild night
walk.
Mrs. Brudenell shuddered with aversion as she looked at Nora; when she
found her voice she said: "Do not let her approach you, Berenice. She is but a low creature; not
fit to speak to one of the decent negroes even; and besides she is
wringing wet and will give you a cold."
"Poor thing! she will certainly take one herself, mamma; she looks too
miserable to live! If you please, I would rather talk with her! Come
here, my poor, poor girl! what is it that troubles you so? Tell me! Can
I help you? I will, cheerfully, if I can." And the equally "poor" lady,
poor in happiness as Nora herself, put her hand in her pocket and drew
forth an elegant portmonnaie of jet.
"Put up your purse, lady! It is not help that I want--save from God! I
want but a true answer to one single question, if you will give it to
me."
"Certainly, I will, my poor creature; but stand nearer the fire; it will
dry your clothes while we talk."
"Thank you, madam, I do not need to."
"Well, then, ask me the question that you wish to have answered. Don't
be afraid, I give you leave, you know," said the lady kindly.