Ishmael | Page 4

from cold and hunger; but as it is understood in the rich
lower counties of Maryland, where forests filled with game and rivers
swarming with fish afford abundance of food and fuel to even the
poorest hutters, however destitute they might be of proper shelter,
clothing, or education.
And though these orphan sisters could not hunt or fish, they could buy
cheaply a plenty of game from the negroes who did. And besides this,
they had a pig, a cow, and a couple of sheep that grazed freely in the
neighboring fields, for no one thought of turning out an animal that
belonged to these poor girls. In addition, they kept a few fowls and
cultivated a small vegetable garden in the rear of their hut. And to keep
the chickens out of the garden was one of the principal occupations of
Nora. Their spinning-wheel and loom supplied them with the few
articles of clothing they required, and with a little money for the
purchase of tea, sugar, and salt. Thus you see their living was good,
though their dress, their house, and their schooling were so very bad.

They were totally ignorant of the world beyond their own
neighborhood; they could read and write, but very imperfectly; and
their only book was the old family Bible, that might always be seen
proudly displayed upon the rickety chest of drawers.
Notwithstanding their lowly condition, the sisters were much esteemed
for their integrity of character by their richer neighbors, who would
have gladly made them more comfortable had not the proud spirit of
Hannah shrunk from dependence.
They had been invited to the festival to be held at Brudenell Hall in
honor of the young heir's coming of age and entering upon his estates.
This gentlemen, Herman Brudenell, was their landlord; and it was as
his tenants, and not by any means as his equals, that they had been
bidden to the feast. And now we will accompany them to the house of
rejoicing. They were now emerging from the valley and climbing the
opposite hill. Hannah walking steadily on in the calm enjoyment of
nature, and Nora darting about like a young bird and caroling as she
went in the effervescence of her delight.

CHAPTER II
.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
Her sweet song died, and a vague unrest And a nameless longing filled
her breast.
--Whittier.
The sisters had not seen their young landlord since he was a lad of ten
years of age, at which epoch he had been sent to Europe to receive his
education. He had but recently been recalled home by his widowed
mother, for the purpose of entering upon his estate and celebrating his
majority in his patrimonial mansion by giving a dinner and ball in the
house to all his kindred and friends, and a feast and dance in the barn to
all his tenants and laborers.
It was said that his lady mother and his two young lady sisters, haughty
and repellent women that they were, had objected to entertaining his
dependents, but the young gentleman was resolved that they should
enjoy themselves. And he had his way.
Nora had no recollection whatever of Herman Brudenell, who had been

taken to Europe while she was still a baby; so now, her curiosity being
stimulated, she plied Hannah with a score of tiresome questions about
him.
"Is he tall, Hannah, dear? Is he very handsome?"
"How can I tell? I have not seen him since he was ten years old."
"But what is his complexion--is he fair or dark? and what is the color of
his hair and eyes? Surely, you can tell that at least."
"Yes; his complexion, as well as I can recollect it, was freckled, and his
hair sandy, and his eyes green."
"Oh-h! the horrid fright! a man to scare bad children into good behavior!
But then that was when he was but ten years old; he is twenty-one
to-day; perhaps he is much improved."
"Nora, our sheep have passed through here, and left some of their wool
on the bushes. Look at that little bird, it has found a flake and is bearing
it off in triumph to line its little nest," said Hannah, to change the
subject.
"Oh, I don't care about the bird; I wish you to tell me about the young
gentleman!" said Nora petulantly, adding the question: "I wonder who
he'll marry?"
"Not you, my dear; so you had better not occupy your mind with him,"
Hannah replied very gravely.
Nora laughed outright. "Oh, I'm quite aware of that; and as for me, I
would not marry a prince, if he had red hair and a freckled face; but
still one cannot help thinking of one's landlord, when one is going to
attend the celebration