‘You remember the Northern Farmer: “Doan’t thou marry for money, but go where money is.” An admirable piece of advice. Well, Maud made a mistake, let us say. Dolomore is a clown, and now she knows it. Why, if she had waited, she might have married one of the leading men of the day. She is fit to be a duchess, as far as appearance goes; but I was never snobbish. I care very little about titles; what I look to is intellectual distinction.’
‘Combined with financial success.’
‘Why, that is what distinction means.’ He looked round the room with a smile. ‘You are not uncomfortable here, old girl. I wish mother could have lived till now.’
‘I wish it very, very often,’ Dora replied in a moved voice.
‘We haven’t done badly, drawbacks considered. Now, you may speak of money as scornfully as you like; but suppose you had married a man who could only keep you in lodgings! How would life look to you?’
‘Who ever disputed the value of money? But there are things one mustn’t sacrifice to gain it.’
‘I suppose so. Well, I have some news for you, Dora. I am thinking of following your example.’
Dora’s face changed to grave anticipation.
‘And who is it?’
‘Amy Reardon.’