Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/251

, by whom Miss Mary wrote, earnestly entreating her not to permit any scruples to prevent her compliance with their request.

Mrs Mason might indeed have been well justified in leaving a house where she had not now a bed to sleep on; she having insisted upon Mrs MacClarty's occupying her's.

Had Mrs MacClarty continued in health, she would have gone without hesitation; because she saw that her cousin's mind was too full of prejudice, to permit her to reap any benefit from one who had the advantage of more experience than herself; but now that the poor woman was in a state of suffering, and incapable of giving any directions, Mrs Mason would on no account leave her. Having returned a grateful answer to her friends at Gowan-brae, she dismissed their messenger, and proceeded in arranging the business of the family, with all the prudence and activity which