“You did not?” she exclaimed. “I quite thought that you expected it! Mama and Aunt Selina do.”
“Very likely. If you take my advice, you will not marry anyone for a year or two yet.”
She wrinkled her brow. “But I shall be almost on the shelf! Besides, I think I should like to be married.”
“When you think that you would like to be married to the same man for more than a month, Belle, tell me!” he said, smiling.
She shook her head. “It is a very awkward circumstance, my falling in love so often, Max. However, I am much wiser now than I used to be, and I dare say I shall very soon settle down.”
He said nothing for several minutes, but when they reached the gates of the Park again, he took the reins from her. “You know, Belle,” he said, “you will have a considerable fortune when you come of age.”
“I know I shall. I shall enjoy that,” replied Miss Ravenscar. “Certainly. But take care you do not marry a man who wants to enjoy it too.”
Miss Ravenscar thought this over. “That’s horrid, Max.”
“It is unfortunately the way of a great part of the world.”
“Do you mean—do you mean that all the men who have wanted me to marry them only wanted my fortune?”