Adeline, embarrassed, she scarcely knew why, at the novelty of her situation, drew the paper from her pocket, and presented it to him.
'Mr Berrendale recommended me to you, sir,' said Adeline faintly.
'Berrendale, Berrendale, O, aye,—I remember—the cousin of Mr Glenmurray: you know Mr Glenmurray too, ma'am, I presume; pray how is he?'—Adeline, unprepared for this question, could not speak; and the voluble counsellor went on—'Oh!—I ask your pardon, madam, I see;—pray, might I presume so far, how long has that extraordinary clever man been lost to the world?'
'More than two years, sir,' replied Adeline faintly.
'You are,—may I presume so far,—you are his widow?'—Adeline bowed. There was a something in Mr Langley's manner and look so like Sir Patrick's, that she could not bear to let him know she was only Glenmurray's companion.
'Gone more than two years, and you still in deep mourning!—Amiable susceptibility!—How unlike the wives of the present day! But I beg pardon.—Now to business.' So saying, he perused the paper which Adeline had given him, in which Glenmurray simply stated, that he bequeathed to Adeline Mowbray the sum of £260 in the 5 per cents, but it was signed by only one witness.
'What do you wish to know, Madam?' asked the counsellor.
'Whether this will be valid, as it is not signed by two witnesses, sir?'
'Why,—really not,' replied Langley; 'though the heir-at-law, if we have either equity or gallantry, could certainly not refuse to fulfil what evidently was the intention of the testator:—but then, it is very surprising to me that Mr Glenmurray should have wished to leave any thing from the lady whom I have the honour to behold. Pray, madam,—if I may presume to ask,—Who is Adeline Mowbray?'
'I—I am Adeline Mowbray,' replied Adeline in great confusion.