"Edith!" exclaimed Miss Marbury—"where, in Heaven's name, did you get such notions?"
"Here in Maryland—every girl prefers a man with money or prominence—you do, I do, we all do. Unless he has one or the other, he is not even considered as a possible husband—isn't it so!"
"No—at least, I think, I am not for sale. Does love play no part in the compact?"
"As you wish—you can love him or not. Given a rich or prominent suitor, and one possessing neither, which would you love, think you?"
"All things being equal otherwise?"
"Not necessarily—the poor one may be much the better looking—and of a more amiable disposition."
"I cannot answer," said Miss Marbury; "I would have to see them to choose—wealth and prominence are in one's favor, but so also is a handsome person and an amiable disposition—and then, after all, I fancy, I should let love decide."
"But if you love neither?"
"Then, I reckon, I should marry neither," Miss Marbury answered.