"And your father—the Duke?"
"He knows nothing about it,—as yet."
"Really this takes me quite by surprise. I am afraid you have not given enough thought to the matter."
"I have been thinking about it for the last three months," said Lord Silverbridge.
"Marriage is a very serious thing."
"Of course it is."
"And men generally like to marry their equals."
"I don't know about that. I don't think that counts for much. People don't always know who are their equals."
"That is quite true. If I were speaking to you or to your father theoretically I should perhaps be unwilling to admit superiority on your side because of your rank and wealth. I could make an argument in favour of any equality with the best Briton that ever lived,—as would become a true-born Republican."
"That is just what I mean."