'That they thought marriage a cursed bore, and preferred leading the life of honour, to be sure.'
'The life of honour! What is that?' demanded Adeline, while Glenmurray paced the room in agitation.
'That life, my dear girl, which you mean to lead;—love and liberty with the man of your heart.'
'Sir Patrick,' cried Glenmurray impatiently, 'this conversation is—'
'Prodigiously amusing to me,' returned the baronet, 'especially as I never could hold it to a modest woman before.'
'Nor shall you now, Sir,' fiercely interrupted Glenmurray.
'Shall not, Sir?' vociferated Sir Patrick.
'Pray, gentlemen, be less violent,' exclaimed the terrified and astonished Adeline. 'I can't think what could offend you, Mr Glenmurray, in Sir Patrick's original observation: the life of honour appears to me a very excellent name for the pure and honourable union which it is my wish to form; and—'
'There; I told you so;' triumphantly interrupted Sir Patrick: 'and I never was better pleased in life:—sweet creature! at once so lovely, so wise, and so liberal!'
'Sir,' cried Glenmurray, 'this is a mistake: your life of honour and Miss Mowbray's are as different as possible; you are talking of what you are grossly ignorant of.'