'There now,' said Adeline, when he was out of hearing. 'I hope some of your tender fears are done away. You see there are liberal and unprejudiced persons in the world; and Mr Maynard, instead of shunning me, courts my acquaintance for his sisters.' Glenmurray shook his head, and remained silent; and Adeline was distressed to feel by his burning hand that he was seriously uneasy. 'I shall certainly call on these ladies to-morrow,' continued Adeline:--'I really pine for the society of amiable women.' Glenmurray sighed deeply: he dreaded to tell her that he could not allow her to call on them, and yet he knew that this painful task awaited him. Besides, she wished, she said, to know some amiable women; and, eager as he was to indulge all her wishes, he felt but too certainly that in this wish she could never be indulged. Even had he been capable of doing so dishonourable an action as introducing his mistress as his wife, he was sure that Adeline would have spurned at the deception; and silent and sad he grasped Adeline's hand as her arm rested within his, and complaining of indisposition, slowly returned to the inn. The next morning at breakfast, Adeline again expressed her eagerness to form an acquaintance with the sisters of Mr Maynard; when Glenmurray, starting from his seat, paced the room in considerable agitation. 'What is the matter!' cried Adeline, hastily rising and laying her hand on his arm. Glenmurray grasped her hand, and replied with assumed firmness: 'Adeline, it is impossible for you to form an acquaintance with Mr Maynard's sisters: propriety and honour both forbid me to allow it.' 'Indeed!' exclaimed Adeline, 'are they not as amiable, then, as he described them? are they improper acquaintances for me? Well then--I am disappointed: but you are the best judge of what is right, and I am contented to obey you.' The simple, ingenuous and acquiescent sweetness with which she said this, was a new pang to her lover:--had she repined, had she looked ill-humoured, his task would not have been so difficult. 'But what reason can you give for declining this acquaintance?' resumed Adeline. 'Aye! there's the difficulty,' replied Glenmurray: 'pure-minded and amiable as I know you to be, how can I bear to tell these children of prejudice that you are not my wife, but my mistress?' Adeline started; and, turning pale, exclaimed, 'Are you sure, then, that they do not know it already?' 'Quite sure--else Maynard would not have thought you a fit companion for his sisters.' 'But surely--he must know your principles;--he must have read your works?' 'I am certain he is ignorant of both, and does not even know that I am an author.' 'Is it possible?' cried Adeline: 'is there any one so unfortunate to be unacquainted with your writings?'