Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/350

 ended in a passionate flood of tears. Poor Mary, who was really sorry for her sister, endeavoured to sooth the raging storm, but was repelled with indignation; and Mrs Mason, who better knew how to treat such cases, begged her to desist until the tempest had spent itself. She then drew near, and in a gentle voice said, "believe me, I should hate myself, Mrs Mollins, if I could take pleasure in distressing you; but I have thought it better that you should know the truth, than expose yourself to ridicule, by speaking of your husband's family, or of his circumstances, or situation, in such a tone as that you lately assumed."

Mrs Mollins, who was now quite exhausted, uttered a deep groan. Then after a few heavy sobs, cried, "If I have been deceived, I shall never see him again. No, I shall never live with him. I shall die sooner—Oh!"—then covering her face with her hands, she again wept bitterly.

"My dear Bell," said Mr Stewart,