This extraordinary speech, though worded elegantly and delivered gracefully, was not received by any of her hearers, except Sir Patrick, with any thing like admiration. The baronet, indeed, clapped his hands, and cried 'Bravo! a fine spirited girl, upon my word!' in a manner so loud, and so offensive to the feelings of Adeline, that, like the orator of old, she was tempted to exclaim, 'What foolish thing can I have said, that has drawn forth this applause?' But Mrs Mowbray, though she could not help admiring the eloquence which she attributed to her example,--was shocked at hearing Adeline declare that her practice should be consonant to her theory; while Glenmurray, though Adeline had only expressed his sentiments, and his reason approved what she had uttered, felt his delicacy and his feelings wounded by so open and decided an avowal of her opinions, and intended conduct in consequence of them; and he was still more hurt, when he saw how much it delighted Sir Patrick, and offended the rest of the company; who, after a silence, the result of surprise and disgust, suddenly arose, and, coldly wishing Mrs Mowbray good night, left the house. By Mrs Mowbray the cause of this abrupt departure was unsuspected: but Adeline, who had more observation, was convinced that she was the cause of it; and sighing deeply at the prejudices of the world, she sought to console herself by looking at Glenmurray, expecting to find in his eyes an expression of delight and approbation. To her great disappointment, however, his countenance was sad; while Sir Patrick, on the contrary, had an expression of impudent triumph in his look, which made her turn blushing from his ardent gaze, and indignantly follow her mother, who was then leaving the room. As she passed him, Sir Patrick caught her hand rapturously to his lips (an action which made Glenmurray start from his chair), and exclaimed, 'Really you are the only honest little woman I ever knew! I always was sure that what you just now said was the opinion of all your sex, though they were so confounded coy they would not own it.' 'Own what Sir?' asked the astonished Adeline. '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.