“Under the circumstances, presuming them to be accurately stated, I am not prepared to say who is to be congratulated or who should thank Providence. These things are so individual, are they not? But if one thing is clear, whatever else she is or is not, Miss Fregelius cannot be a fortune-hunter, although she must want money.”
“She may want other things more.”
“Perhaps. But I am very stupid, I am afraid I do not understand.”
“Men, for instance,” suggested Eliza.
“Dear me! that sounds almost carnivorous. I am afraid that there are not many about here to satisfy her appetite. Your brother, Morris, the curate at Morton, and myself, if at my age I may creep into that honourable company, are the only single creatures within four miles, and from these Stephen and Morris must apparently be eliminated.”
“Why should Morris be eliminated?”
“A reason may occur to you.”
“Do you mean because he is engaged? What on earth does that matter?”
“Nothing—in the East—but, rightly or wrongly, we have decided upon a monogamous system; a man can’t marry two wives, Miss Layard.”
“But he can throw over one girl to marry another.”