"I've made up my mind; and when I say a thing I mean to do it."
"But what can I do?"
"That's just what I'm coming to. If a man does marry I think he ought to be attached to her." To this, as a broad proposition, Silverbridge was ready to accede. But, regarding Dolly as a middle-aged sort of fellow, one of those men who marry because it is convenient to have a house kept for them, he simply nodded his head. "I am awfully attached to her," Dolly went on to say.
"That's all right."
"Of course there are fellows who marry girls for their money. I've known men who have married their grandmothers."
"Not really!"
"That kind of thing. When a woman is old it does not much matter who she is. But my one! She's not old!"
"Nor rich?"
"Well; I don't know about that. But I'm not after her money. Pray understand that. It's because I'm downright fond of her. She's an American."
"A what!" said Silverbridge, startled.