I could wish it were possible to conceal this offer for ever from Emily; my delicacy is hurt at the idea of her knowing it, at least from me or my family.
My mother behaves like an angel on this occasion; expresses herself perfectly happy in my having consulted my heart alone in marrying, and speaks of Emily’s tenderness as a treasure above all price.
She does not even hint a wish to see me richer than I am.
Had I never seen Emily, I would not have married this lady unless love had united us.
Do not, however, suppose I have that romantic contempt for fortune, which is so pardonable, I had almost said so becoming, at nineteen.
I have seen more of the world than most men of my age, and I have seen the advantages of affluence in their strongest light.
I think a worthy man not only may have, but ought to have, an attention to making his way in the world, and improving his situation in it, by every means consistent with probity and honor, and with his own real happiness.
I have ever had this attention, and ever will, but not by base means: and, in my opinion, the very basest is that of selling one’s hand in marriage.
With what horror do we regard a man who is kept! and a man who marries from interested views alone, is kept in the strongest sense of the word.
He is equally a purchased slave, with no distinction but that his bondage is of longer continuance.