"Complimentary to our distant relation!" said my guardian laughingly to Ada and Richard.
"I would beg Miss Clare's pardon and Mr. Carstone's pardon," resumed our visitor, "if I were not reassured by seeing in the fair face of the lady and the smile of the gentleman that it is quite unnecessary and that they keep their distant relation at a comfortable distance."
"Or he keeps us," suggested Richard.

"Complimentary to our distant relation!" said my guardian laughingly to Ada and Richard.
"I would beg your pardons," said our visitor to them, "if I were not reassured by seeing in your smiles that you keep your distant relation at a comfortable distance. 