Glenmurray sighed deeply as she concluded her narration.
'I have only one request to make,' said he—'Never let that Mary come into my presence again; and be sure to take care of Mrs Pemberton's address.'
Adeline promised that both his requests should be attended to. Mary was paid her wages, and dismissed immediately; and a girl being hired to supply her place, the ménage went on quietly again.
But a new mortification awaited Glenmurray and Adeline. In spite of Glenmurray's eccentricities and opinions, he was still remembered with interest by some of the female part of his family; and two of his cousins, more remarkable for their beauty than their virtue, hearing that he was at Richmond, made known to him their intention of paying him a morning visit on their way to their country-seat in the neighbourhood.
'Most unwelcome visitors, indeed!' cried Glenmurray, throwing the letter down; 'I will write to them and forbid them to come.'
'That's impossible,' replied Adeline, 'for by this time they must be on the road, if you look at the date of the letter: besides, I wish you to receive them; I should like to see any relations or friends of yours, especially those who have liberality of sentiment enough to esteem you as you deserve.'
'You!—you see them!' exclaimed Glenmurray, pacing the room impatiently: 'O Adeline, that is impossible!'
'I understand you,' replied Adeline, changing colour: 'they will not deem me worthy,' forcing a smile, 'to be introduced to them.'
'And therefore would I forbid their coming. I cannot bear to exclude you from my presence in order that I may receive them. No: when they arrive, I will send them word that I am unable to see them.'
'While they will attribute the refusal to the influence of the creature who lives with you! No, Glenmurray, for my sake I must insist on your not being denied to them; and, believe me, I should consider myself as unworthy to be the choice of your heart, if I were not able to bear with firmness a mortification like that which awaits me.'