“He scarcely knows her yet,” said Hildegarde, seating herself on the window-stool.
“Scarcely knows the person to whom he is to be married!” exclaimed Hamilton. “You Germans have the oddest ideas on these subjects.”
“I see nothing odd in the matter; it is an acknowledged mariage de convenance. Oscar proposes to marry Mademoiselle de Hoffmann because he has debts and she has a large fortune; and she accepts him because she is not very young, and not at all pretty, and wishes for a good connection; they are not, however, to be married until January, and are to endeavour in the meantime to like each other as much as possible. Can anything be more reasonable?”
“Nothing, excepting, perhaps, their having delayed their engagement until the trial was over. I should like amazingly to know what the sensations of a man may be who sees, for the first time, a person to whom he is beforehand engaged to be married. A lady in such a situation is still more awkwardly placed.”
“There was no awkwardness whatever in this case. Marie was pointed out to Oscar in the theatre, he did not find that her appearance was disagreeable, heard that she was amiable, and consented to marry her. His father made the proposal for him, and Marie was given a whole week to consider before she was required to decide.”
“A whole week!” repeated Hamilton, laughing ironically.
Hildegarde rose abruptly, and was about to leave the window, when he exclaimed, “Excuse my ignorance of German customs. I am really interested in what you have been telling me, and should like to know what finally induced Mademoiselle de Hoffmann to accept your cousin.”
“What induced her! They met at the house of a mutual friend, and though you do not know how agreeable Oscar can be when he chooses, you—you must have perceived that he is uncommonly good-looking.”
“Why, yes, he certainly is not ugly; but good looks on the part of a man is a matter of minor importance!”
“A handsome face is always an advantage. Don’t you think so?” asked Hildegarde, laughing.