'But in contemplating thy union itself, she has lived in the contemplation of vice; and thou wilt own, that, by having given it an air of respectability, thou hast only made it more dangerous.'
'On this point,' cried Adeline, 'I see we must disagree—I shall therefore, without further preamble, inform you, madam, that Mary, aware of the difficulty of procuring a service, if it were known that she had lived with a kept mistress, as the phrase is,' (here an indignant blush overspread the face of Adeline,) 'desired me to call myself the wife of Glenmurray: but this, from my abhorrence of all falsehood, I peremptorily refused.'
'And thou didst well,' exclaimed Mrs Pemberton, 'and I respect thy resolution.'
'But my sincerity will, I fear, prevent the poor girl's obtaining other reputable places; and I, alas! am not rich enough to make her amends for the injury which my conscience forces me to do her. But if you, madam, could be prevailed upon to take her into your family, even for a short time only, to wipe away the disgrace which her living with me has brought upon her—'
'Why can she not remain with thee?' asked Mrs Pemberton hastily.
'Because she neglected her duty, and, when reproved for it, replied in very injurious language.'
'Presuming probably on thy way of life?'
'I must confess that she has reproached me with it.'
'And this was all her fault?'
'It was:—she can be an excellent servant.'