'Why, a lady who lives with a man without being married to him, I take it; and that I take to be your case, ain't it, I pray?'
Adeline blushed and was silent:—it certainly was her case. However, she took courage and went on.
'But mistresses, or kept ladies in general, are women of bad character, and would live with any man; but I never loved, nor ever shall love, any man but Mr Glenmurray. I look on myself as his wife in the sight of God; nor will I quit him till death shall separate us.'
'Then if so be that you don't want to change, I think you might as well be married to him.'
Adeline was again silent for a moment, but continued—
'Mr Glenmurray would marry me to-morrow, if I chose.'
'Indeed! Well, if master is inclined to make an honest woman of you, you had better take him at his word, I think.'
'Gracious heaven!' cried Adeline, 'what an expression! Why will you persist to confound me with those deluded women who are victims of their own weakness?'
'As to that,' replied Mary, 'you talk too fine for me; but a fact is a fact—are you or are you not my master's wife?'
'I am not.'