The gentleman, Mr Langley, to whom Adeline was going, was celebrated for his abilities as a chamber counsellor, and no less remarkable for his gallantries: but Berrendale was not acquainted with this part of his history: else he would not, even to save a lawyer's fee, have exposed his intended wife to a situation of such extreme impropriety; and Adeline was too much a stranger to the rules of general society, to feel any great repugnance to go alone on an errand so interesting to her feelings. The coach having stopped near the entrance of the court to which she was directed, Adeline, resolving to walk home, discharged the coach, and knocked at the door of Mr Langley's chambers. A very smart servant out of livery answered the knock; and Mr Langley being at home, Adeline was introduced into his apartment. Mr Langley, though surprised at seeing a lady of a deportment so correct and of so dignified an appearance enter his room unattended, was inspired with so much respect at the sight of Adeline, whose mourning habit added to the interest which her countenance never failed to excite, that he received her with bows down to the ground, and, leading her to a chair, begged she would do him the honour to be seated, and impart her commands. 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?'