"Cousin Richard," said Ada then, raising her blue eyes tenderly to his face, "after what our cousin John has said, I think no choice is left us. Your mind may be quite at ease about me, for you will leave me here under his care and will be sure that I can have nothing to wish for--quite sure if I guide myself by his advice. I--I don't doubt, cousin Richard," said Ada, a little confused, "that you are very fond of me, and I--I don't think you will fall in love with anybody else. But I should like you to consider well about it too, as I should like you to be in all things very happy. You may trust in me, cousin Richard. I am not at all changeable; but I am not unreasonable, and should never blame you. Even cousins may be sorry to part; and in truth I am very, very sorry, Richard, though I know it's for your welfare. I shall always think of you affectionately, and often talk of you with Esther, and--and perhaps you will sometimes think a little of me, cousin Richard. So now," said Ada, going up to him and giving him her trembling hand, "we are only cousins again, Richard--for the time perhaps--and I pray for a blessing on my dear cousin, wherever he goes!"

"Cousin Richard," said Ada then, raising her blue eyes tenderly to his face, "I think no choice is left us. Your mind may be quite at ease about me, for you will leave me here under his care and will be sure that I can have nothing to wish for. I - I don't doubt, cousin Richard," said she, a little confused, "that you are very fond of me, and I - I don't think you will fall in love with anybody else. But I should like you to consider well about it, as I should like you to be happy. You may trust me, cousin Richard. I am not at all changeable; but I should never blame you. Even cousins may be sorry to part; and in truth I am very sorry, Richard, though I know it's for your welfare. I shall always think of you affectionately, and often talk of you with Esther, and - and perhaps you will sometimes think of me, cousin Richard. So now," said Ada, giving him her trembling hand, "we are only cousins again, Richard - for the time perhaps - and I pray for a blessing on my dear cousin, wherever he goes!"
