human
But Eleanor insists on it that I have over-exerted myself lately, he observed, smiling affectionately on her;
gpt
he added hurriedly, and a faint blush passed over his countenance as he continued with averted eyes,
human
By the by, L----, you have heard from my sister, that I have felt it due to my cousin Heneage to invite his wife and part of his family to the Hall? His feelings were naturally hurt by their exclusion from it--and--and ----The struggle to proceed was a painful one, but he achieved it, and in a firmer tone, and with eyes that were raised to meet mine with a deprecating look, went on to say,--
gpt
You are aware, L----, that I should not willingly have imposed on my dear sister the irksomeness of receiving as a guest a person so ill qualified to associate with her as is Mrs Heneage Devereux, by birth and breeding, and perhaps--I fear ----And again his voice faltered, and his eye avoided mine--
human
I fear, by other circumstances, previous to her union with my cousin; but _he is_ my cousin, you know, and--and--my dear sister _could not_ disoblige me; --and as he pressed his lips to her hand as it lay upon the arm of his easy-chair, I saw a tear drop on it from his closed eyelids.
gpt
Of course, he continued, recovering himself after a moment's pause, during which I had endeavoured to relieve his distress by a few cheerful, though scarce connected words--
human
Of course, during the time of my cousin's visit to us, we shall live secluded from our friends and neighbours; for I cannot expect from any lady the complaisance of meeting Mrs Heneage Devereux at my table. Yet he looked at me half-imploringly as he spoke, and it would be impossible for me to describe the expression of grateful affection which beamed in the countenances of both brother and sister, when I hastened to remove the humiliating doubt, by exclaiming,
gpt
Whatever be your intention with regard to the neighbourhood in general, my dear sir, do not flatter yourself you will so easily banish your old and attached friends. Neither my wife nor I could endure a week's exclusion from Devereux Hall, and I think it is more than that period of time since we have sat at your hospitable board. Mrs L---- would take it kindly if you were to invite us for to-morrow, and we would do our best to help you to entertain these inconvenient visitors.