Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/382

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364

all of the same opinion with regard to your husband's merit. Nay, you need not blush at having praised him, unless indeed you are ashamed at being so unfashionable a wife."

"O sir," returned Peggy, blushing yet more deeply, "we have nothing to do with fashion; but I hope we shall be grateful to God and our friends for all their kindness, and that you will prevail on William not to put from him such an advantage as this blessed offer."

William fearing that Mr Gourlay would misinterpret the reluctance hinted at, eagerly declared how joyfully he should accept the employment, did he consider himself fully qualified for discharging its duties; but that his want of experience in the art of teaching, destroyed his confidence, and rendered him hopeless of success.

"And it is upon that very circumstance that my hopes of your success are founded," replied Mr Gourlay. "You